Schools Must Failing Their Students For Success

This audience is typically heads of household that would have children in schools and would generally relate to the high school experiences discussed throughout this article. As Botstein pointed out, “Often the high school outsider becomes the more successful and admired adult.” These successful adults can see the viewpoint of the author through their own lenses and also realize that their success was not directly tied to the learning they gained in school but to the harsh realities they faced once they moved into adulthood. Although Botstein highlights the various problems faced by students in high school but to effect change he needs to gain the support of the parents, in addition to wealth. The only way to effect change in the American school system is to be driven by both the student’s parents and the individuals that can influence the school board.

“School trains children to be employees and consumers; teach your own to be leaders and adventurers.  School trains children to obey reflexively; teach your own to think critically and independently” (Gatto 670).  In the present day school system, students are becoming more of products of an institutionalized school system

I agree with Botstein’s evaluations; the typical school environment is damaging generations of teenagers. His ideas show an alternative to the school program that is currently producing nothing but generations of unhappy and unmotivated children. Being motivated to take a stand on the American education system after of the outrageous shootings at Columbine High School of Littleton, Colorado in 1999, Botstein connected the causes to the effect of students who were interacting with each other in school environments. Others blame teachers' methods, and the subjects that are being taught ­­– stating that the education systems are creating simple minded children. However, no one is teaching kids the harmful effects they can have on one another. These cliques that form in schools cause the outsider, the loner, to act out in outbreaks, such as in Columbine. “Artificial Intensity,” as Botstein states it, is highly implied on teens. It pressures the students to be perfect; some put too much stress on themselves, triggering them to act on extremes.

In many places throughout the world there are rigid top-down cultures and theories on education. These cultures have been seen in World War II Germany, in literature, and in education. It has been shown throughout history that these cultures can and will cause many problems to fester as a result. These issues include the manufacturing of sheep-like masses that simply follow what they are told and taught, the culture losing its ability to distinguish between what is morally right and wrong, and the forced masking of emotions and true feelings. The only way to prevent a culture from simply manufacturing sheep-like masses is by encouraging people to not be afraid to stand out in a crowd and allowing, and even embracing, free thinking.

At Hazelwood High School, they do things differently than at my school. At Hazelwood, most of the people worry about themselves and nobody else. Most of the school doesn’t get good grades and the school does not do anything about it. One day in English class Andy walked out when they were reading Macbeth because it was too emotional for Andy to handle. His friends were concerned and told the school counselor. They said, “But… but… it seems like… like… he needs help or somethin’.” Then the counselor said, “Well, I probably shouldn’t tell you boys this, but he is getting some outside counseling… So you boys can relax and be assured that he is getting whatever help he needs”(100). At Harrisburg High School, if someone had an issue like that, the counselors and teachers would be concerned, even if the person was getting outside help. Another thing about education that is different than mine is the school. In Ronda’s English homework, she wrote, “Our school building must have been built about a million years ago, because it was brown and tall and raggedy-looking, but it fit right in with the rest of the day”(16). At my high school, we are very fortunate to have a very new building to learn inside of. At Hazelwood High, they were not fortunate enough to have a new high school be built. Culture and education are very important pieces of people’s

Students are not allowed to make their own decisions. In the article, “Constant Frustration and Occasional Violence: The Legacy of American High School”, Alfie Kohn asks, “How logical is it to expect that teenagers who have been coerced into following directions will develop into responsible decision-makers” (3)? The ability to make decisions is part of the process amid alternative possibilities to make a choice, in terms of action or belief. Students in the American educational system, cannot make their own decisions because they are not given choices. Their opinions are not asked, therefore they cannot express themselves about what they think, instead the only choice given is to follow instructions. Kohn adds, “What could be worse, for kids who

Education is meant to broaden the minds of incoming generations to the diverse cultures and aspects of the world. While its purpose is meant to open up horizons, it has also held up the task of oppressing opposing thoughts and judgments. Author James Baldwin exposes this truth in his article, “A Talk to Teachers,” as he chastises the education system’s contradicting actions inasmuch as the support of an all-encompassing education while scorning unconventional thinking. Baldwin’s purpose to confront the antithetical activity to hopefully change the system’s ways is attempted by persuading teachers who “deal with the minds and hearts of young people” that a paradox of education occurs when students develop a conscience--they become “at war” with society--is valid in that education should allow development for individual thoughts and varied opinions to challenge for the reconstruction of society’s oppressive nature.

Education gives common people the means to turning dreams into reality. Education allows common people to open up their minds to various possibilities, that will arise from becoming educated. But, yet there are times where our education systems do not uphold student/learners to a high norm. Although, problems with education systems rarely occur, inadequate performance in school can be feasible if there are issues within the child’s household. Nonetheless, students who face inconsistent dilemmas, fail since they attempt to solve both problems.

Alison Kong EN 102 The education system in America is broken according to “Lives on the Boundary” by Mike Rose. In this excerpt Mike Rose gives the audience a greater understanding about the decline of the education system. Rose gives examples of how and why education should be equal for everyone. Also, that the importance of great books and a proper curriculum is very significant to our education system. Rose further explains to his audience that these “Great Books” don’t contain real experiences that students could eventually come across during their time at school.

School, everyone summons different thoughts and connotations whenever they hear that word. Although people range in their opinions of school, many can agree that schools all have the same goal: to educate their students. This is proving to be false; John Taylor Gatto provides evidence of this in his essay, “Against School.” Within this text he explains how schools are not educating students to be the best they can be, instead teachers are teaching them to become role players in today’s society and to be desensitized from their natural creativity. Gatto, a three time New York Teacher of the Year, has had his fair share of teaching. Gatto provides evidence to the audience that they have been wrong all along about the way a school functions. His ideals prove that the schooling systems in today’s society are not what they seem; schools are thought to develop and help a student unlock their full potential but through the evidence that Gatto provides us he shows that the education system does anything but that. He shows us this by appealing to the audience’s logos and pathos or their logical and emotional natures.

There are many controversies that American public education system does more harm than good. In “Against School” by John Taylor Gatto and “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work” by Jean Anyon, explains how school education destructively impacts us. Gatto states his experience as a public school teacher and why he “just can't-do it anymore”. He was tired how the schooling was programmed. He argues how school system are affecting students to be more like “childlike” citizens. Also, Anyon demonstrates her research on how there are many different kinds of education depending what “class” you were. She informs us that there is an inequality in “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work”. She tells us that this difference in

The American Education System is not meeting the needs of current students. If anything, the system is not building a sturdy foundation for the future working class. Schools have existed for many years and through the years they have worked differently. However, every school’s main purpose was to educate students to be efficacious later in life. Modern day schools are corrupting students with added pressure, making fewer accommodations for special education students, and take away individualism. Along with those are problems comes numerous others. The students of modern times are the people of our future and the future does not look too bright with the current American Education System.

I believe that students in elementary school should not be allowed to advance to the next grade if they are failing because if they do then they will not be able to pass grade that they will be going in to. The student will not understand the new stuff that is being handed to them. He or she will have a harder time understanding what is being taught. The student will keep moving forward and won't learn anything and will be a highschool dropout.

The quality of education given in today's schools has declined since the idea of schools began. Currently students are graduating without being able to read or write. The blame lies on the teachers, government and every American citizen for not speaking up to bring change sooner. Only in the most recent years has there been any will to change the system.(Sharma)

Students should never be failing classes. Students shouldn’t be failing classes because they should be trying hard and extra- curricular thing can help you not to fail. In the article “Making the grade: should struggling students be banned from clubs and sports?” by Current Events it gives proof that you should not be failing classes. What is that proof? A 2008 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that time spent in extracurricular physical activity does not take away from elementary school students' ability to do well in the classroom. In fact, it may even help boost girls' academic performance. In the article “Making the grade: should struggling students be banned from clubs and sports?” by Current Events it says