Graduation Speech : Changing Education

Higher education in America is facing many challenges, i.e., low retention, low graduation rates and less funding. Postsecondary institutions are scrambling to remain a competitive entity within society. In order to do so, students must remain in school (Talbert, 2012). The Office of the White House states (2014), educational attainment is critical to our county’s economic success. In essence, the work force is creating more jobs requiring more education and a higher level of skill than was previously achieved. Individuals with only a high school diploma will not make into the middle class sector because of

Throughout my life, I feel as though I have had many encounters with special education. Growing up, my grandmothers close friend had a daughter that had down syndrome. She was extremely sweet and loved company. Her parents had six other children who were grown and lived on their own. However, she lived at home with her parents her whole life. In elementary school, I do not remember many encounters with special education students. I do remember some kids being taken out of my class for part of the day, but that was my only experience during that time.

Why are schools not preparing students for college, for the real world, or how be successful in the work force? Many Americans ask this question and do not understand that Career and Technical Education (CTE), once called Vocational Education, do exactly that (Estacion, Deluca, Plank 346). They believe that all that schools teach are how to write, solve math problems, use the scientific method, and absorb the information discussed in history courses. Career and Technical Education uses experimental learning that gives students skills and motivation to graduate high school and be successful afterwards. Experimental learning is a concept that uses practical thinking and activities to grasp contexts and make learning information and skills easier (Fletcher and Hernadez-Gantes par. 3). Career and Technical Education give students opportunities to better themselves, and stay in school to create success in all aspects of their lives.

According to Arne Duncan, 25% of U.S. high school students drop out or do not graduate on time, which is one out of every four people. In the article, “The Vision of Education Reform in the United States,” Duncan also informs that, “Almost one million students leave our schools for the streets each year.” (Duncan). The U.S. used to lead the world in college attainment but is tied for ninth now. The students themselves willingly choose to give up expanding their knowledge, which negatively affects their future. Consequently, they are unable to obtain a well-paying occupation for the price of inadequately acquiring their diploma.

Initially, the significant issue I am going to address is on the matter of who should go to college. Should all people go to college? Should only best and brightest go to college? Should college be attended by some but not all? There are countless diverse viewpoints on this matter and many of these ideas will be elaborated on. This question has arisen because of the many issues on this matter that need to be fixed. One of the issues is the number of high school graduates who enter college and do not finish out. These dropouts wasted much of the government’s money or even their own money or quite possibly

How great would it be to graduate from high school and have a job waiting for you that provides all you need? Unfortunately, this isn't a possibility for the majority of the people today. Today, a postsecondary education is standard for people obtain a job to sustain the comfort of their daily lives. Receiving a higher education positively impacts a variety of important aspects of a person's life. Education has been linked to influence community activity, personal health, unemployment and our economy. Author of “Bell Curve”, Charles Murray, has the opinion that we are wasting our time trying to educate too many people and only 10 to 20 percent of college attendees should be there(Perry, para 1). Robert T. Perry, author of “On “Real Education””,

The estimation of a college education is under assault. While more U.S. undergrads are enrolled than at any other time, a perfect storm is brewing of soaring costs, rising student debt, and shrinking work prospects; all of which have driven critics to progressively challenge whether schools remain beneficial. In society, a college education is not an option or privilege, but rather a necessity. People are raised and conditioned to believe that one needs higher education in order to succeed in life. It is such a big deal that people also say that college is not worth the cost due to the major uprising of student loan debts. To those who have not attended college, they have missed out on exposing students to diverse people and ideas, better job employment opportunities, and not having to deal with the struggle of lower unemployment rates.

“70% of Americans will study at a 4-year college, but less than 2/3 will graduate” (Beckstead np). In light of this staggering statistic, we notice that maybe, just maybe college should not be a thoughtless choice. Having numerous interests myself, I have considered several options to further my own career path. For example, I am interested in cosmology school but I also want to pursue a law degree. Upon much deliberation, I decided that best path for myself is to attend a state university. After reaching options, I realize that a four-year degree is not for everyone. However, everyone needs to further their education in any field of study after high school; however, college is not the only one option. Although society today will heavily push the idea of college; a college degree is a great selection but not the best choice for every young adult; however, I do think that everyone needs to continue their education. Whether the education is a Master’s Degree from an Ivy League school or a welding certificate from a community college or a military education, everyone should further their instruction to gain a specific path to earn an income. Just because you are not a doctor or a lawyer, I strongly believe, that this does not mean that you are uneducated. Contrary to the stigma

From anxiously fiddling with the tassel on my bright green graduation cap too sneaking glances at all my peers to see if they were as anxious as I was our much-anticipated graduation day had arrived, High school graduation seems like it was decades ago. Thinking back, I thought that was the end and I was the only one who wasn’t set on the career that I would be pursuing for the next 40+ years. In all reality graduation wasn’t the end it was only the beginning to my future. In 2017 America owes a little over 1.3 trillion dollars in student loans which I think is astonishing. After analyzing the writings of Dwyer, Holt and Adams it’s safe to say that the writers all had 3 wide spectrums of their thoughts on our education system. In my eyes a “good” education consists of two factors: a strong base of a wide spread knowledge and the ability to put that knowledge to use regardless of the circumstances. Furthermore, while all three writers had excellent points to their arguments all their methods seemed to lack any room for any additional input.

Educational structures have existed in our country since the late seventeenth century. During the development of our ever-changing society, we began to find it acceptable for children to go to school, and now even obligatory. College was a luxury in the past, although recently, it’s almost imperative. The problem is that students are no longer sure if they are going to get the bang for their buck. More than half of students that graduate high school have been factually proven to not be ready for college. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has discovered that about 60% of graduates cannot pass a proficient Math, English, or Science test. Students should not be going to school for over a

For as long as I can remember my parents have always emphasized the importance of a college education in order to have a successful life. Coming from a Filipino household, education was always a top priority. Both of my parents grew up in rural areas of the Philippines and had under privileged lives. Unfortunately, they did not have the chance to attend college, as well as high school. When my parents decided to have me, they wanted me to have the life they wish they had as children. That is why they pushed me to learn as much as I can in school and to go to college. We are a single income family and my parents still encourage me to go to college even when college can be expensive. They not only provide for me, but for my sister as well. Nonetheless, students pay too much for college, and the cost of tuition should be re-evaluated.

I discovered that “higher education” has various meanings depending upon the individuals and their demographic area. For instance, if middle school students are victims of living in a poor country, their academic resources are scarce. This means, from their view, moving from middle school and into high school sounds like a form of higher education, but most Americans look at higher education as education that takes place after they finish high school. When I said, “after high school,” I opened a new discussion. For example, I discovered that not all high school graduates go straight to college. Their personal duties might influence their decision to go back into a classroom. In some cases, but not all situations, there might be a few students who join the military, start a family, or move into our competitive job market. Once they retire from the military and their children have left home, they get tired of sitting at home or working in a low paying job.

High school students are faced with a choice during their junior and senior year; if they will attend college in the fall, and if they do, which school they will they go to. Whether it be that they would like to take a gap year or don’t go to college at all, they have to face that decision. In a study done by the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Center for Public Education, twelve percent of high school students, either do not enroll or drop out of college by the end of two years. Of that twelve percent, thirty-two percent of them have dropped out or chosen not to go because they can not afford or no longer afford to go. Further education has become more and more of a necessity, and if people are being denied that chance because they can no longer afford it, that isn’t fair. Sixteen percent did not continue or they dropped out because they wanted to work and make money. It is easy to assume that without a college degree, someone is most

A college education should be considered a very valuable asset and can be likened to a cornerstone of a life’s foundation that will help with success in society. A high school diploma was once thought to be the only thing needed to procure a good job and save for retirement, but in today’s ever changing world a person needs some form of secondary instruction or a college degree is needed to acquire the most basic entry level jobs. According to a US News article the average tuition and fees for public Nation Universities have increased since 1985 to 2015 by 296 %( Mitchell). With this ever increasing cost the dream of attending college has become more like a fantasy.

P.S. 46 philosophy is to make sure students no matter where they come from has an equal change of education. They want to make sure parents and students home traditions, language and culture is respected. Teachers shown this type of attitude, by giving students fair chances and not showing favoritism towards other students do to their racial background. This elementary school believed community members, parents, students and educators to unite as one in order to make sure students become great writers and critical thinkers. They also, wants students be prepared for college and career ready. Each floor I went to promoted ideas of college with posters. Most importantly they want students to be safe environment, for the best possible learning experiences. When I came inside the school, teachers who see me would say hello and ask if I needed help. This shows me, this school is place where people are welcome.