The Importance Of Education In Education

The United States of America is nowhere near being one of the most educated countries in the world. “The U.S. ranks No. 18 in perceptions of an educated population, just above South Korea and behind Italy” (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2017-08-25/most-educated-countries-according-to-perception). There is no single solution that can cure the education system without causing other problems in the students and teachers lives. However, if the US were to have year round school, they would have more rigor to learn, and wouldn't be behind other countries.

Education seems to be the only socially acceptable way to lower the world’s endlessly growing population. Other methods, such as financial incentives, have been debated but without any real seriousness to come up with working programs that won’t take advantage of people. Although it is important to see that these methods as opportunities to educate are becoming harder to come by. Education is only obtainable in places where there is some level of affluence and an established governmental foundation proficient of enforcing such a program. Ironically, the regions that are meant to be targeted are usually in a state that is inaccessible, impoverished, and economically fragile. So, since education is limited, and can only reach so far, other methods must be taken into consideration. An individual example of this would be to tax families that have more than two children. A business example would be to receive incentives such as tax cuts for installing solar panels on buildings.

What is my life’s work? Well, I plan on dedicating my life to changing the lives of others. Spending every extra minute possible giving back to the community in some way. I feel as if I was made to strongly impact the lives of anyone I cross paths with. Becoming a teacher is one of the many ways I feel that I can achieve these goals. Teaching is so much more than just standing up in front of a classroom and spitting out a lesson plan day after day. Getting to know each individual student and their personal struggles is key to being a magnificent supportive teacher. It takes a strong minded individual to teach. Writing this paper has opened my mind to all the potential bad things that comes along with teaching. It is making me look deep inside and criticize if I really have what it takes to be a teacher. No one has ever asked me if there are any doubts I have had going into this field. I think I want to go into teaching in order to accomplish a better learning environment for students, particularly children with disabilities. I feel that children with disabilities are not getting enough support and encouragement they need to succeed. Every person with a disability is able to achieve something great with the right support systems set in place for them. With a teacher who pushes them to excel they will be living to their fullest potential. There are the many obstacles which make me doubt my capacity to become a teacher.

In education it has become clear that there is one main problem that has a serious effect on our nation as a whole, and that is the achievement gap. This problem is obvious in college admission rates, graduation rates, suspension rates and test scores. Five years ago I was able to be a part of a team at a middle school that allowed us to sit down and discuss the issues facing our students at our medium sized K-12 charter school. This focus team eventually led to my role as a leader on our PBIS Implementation Team.

If education had more money they could make their community a better place by allowing updates to be made when necessary. Education is in need of money due to the lack of funds they receive from the state. If tax money went to education this problem would solved. More money would increase teachers pay, pay for textbooks, supplies and food. Education is important to everyone around the world. Without an education, children would not have a knowledge unless learned at home. Education needs more funds to be able to afford the supplies needed for each and every school year.

Education is essential to help kids develop the skills necessary to prepare them for the modern world. Furthermore, education endows kids with the ability to be independent, creative, and innovative learners, which can help encourage kids to take on greater tasks. However, most schools lack the support for greater student success because they have outdated textbooks, bad school facilities, and no student autonomy. Therefore, holding back students from realizing their full potential and rendering them vulnerable to challenges. In order for students to become greater critical thinkers the federal government must reform the educational system and increase school funds so that schools can replace older textbooks with new ones, improve educational facilities, and permit greater student autonomy

Chris Van Allsburg thinks that "most people agree there is a component of skill in art making; you have to learn grammar before you learn how to write"(Allsburg). While the school is redesigning its English curriculum, they are trying to decide how much grammar should be taught and if it will be taught at all. While people may believe that grammar should be taught because today's youth has grown up with shortcuts, it is quite clear that grammar should still be integrated into the school's curriculum because it creates good credibility, prepares students for a successful life, and makes writing understandable.

According to the Census Bureau, PreK-12 teachers represent the largest occupational group in the nation, and the profession is becoming even larger. In recent years, the hiring of teachers has far outpaced student enrollment; from 1987-2008, total K-12 student enrollment in U.S. schools including public, private and charter schools combined — increased 19 percent. By comparison, the teaching force rose by 48 percent over that same period. Since 1950, America’s public schools in particular have seen a 96-percent increase in students that has been accompanied by a 252-percent rise in teaching staff.

Arguably teaching is one of the most powerful careers offered to the public today. The impact educators have on their students is insurmountable, possibly lasting the child’s entire lifetime. This is why educators should be dedicated to being a positive impact on the child’s life, and creating a safe classroom environment. Educators can successfully do this if they are aware of the developmental, behavioral and social needs of their students, fully comprehend the impacts of trauma and poverty as well as use differentiation strategies to support the needs of these students.

Have you ever felt like your previous education was a piece of cake, well once you reach college it doesn’t seem to fit the script? Growing up from my experience of my past education I have always though the work I was taught was like taking candy from a baby. The way the teachers broke down the lessons to me step by step, made the work seem not to difficult. Well now that I am in college, I have realized some of the ways I was taught in my previous education experience was all wrong. Well basically the ways I was taught by the teachers in my past education, all seems to be a big disaster to me now that I am in college.

With more education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, children will be better prepared for challenges they will face in their lives. If kids are more educated in STEM, then they become outstanding citizens in their communities, and across their countries. Researchers have conducted many experiments about people interested and educated in STEM, and compared them to people not as intrigued or experienced. The data collected leads to numerous amounts of behavioral and intellectual skills, however, one stands out in particular that all citizens should be aware of. People who excel in STEM, those who make things, and those that are inspired by science, typically are better at problem solving, they have better social skills, and they are more likely to make a difference in the world.

With an astounding 14% of students in the United States being eligible for special education under IDEA, there has been greater regulation of educational services and identification of legal rights than ever before. (National Center for Education Statistics) IDEA, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, was an amendment to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act that in essence changed the name of the law, but maintained the purpose of ensuring that all those with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate public education. One of the many requirements of IDEA is the development of an IEP, or Individualized Education Program, for each student in special education. (Hallahan et al.) In light of the prevalence of special education in the United States, it is essential that all educators, not just special educators, be aware of the purpose, elements, and process of creating an IEP.

What is the goal of the United States’ K-12 education system in the 21st century? While it may be worded in a variety of ways, it is well known that the main goal is essentially to equip our students with the skills necessary to succeed on their own after K-12 education. However, many of today’s high school graduates are not experiencing the achievement of this goal. In order for success after K-12 education to happen the students must possess the intrinsic motivation for overcoming obstacles, and the confidence in their ability to do so. With much of education involving a right and wrong answer it is easy for students to feel like they can either succeed or fail. In contrast, education through the arts with a design thinking approach allows students to have a learning experience where the best solution to a problem is not given to them, but rather found by them throughout the design process. This process gives students the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, gain confidence in their ideas, and develop a motivation that comes from within. Thus, through design thinking pedagogy and the integration of the arts with other disciplines, as seen in STEAM curriculums, educators are able to facilitate this type of learning experience and therefore better equip students with the tools for success.

The wise man once stated, “Teaching for nearly 40 years has allowed me to see how much our world has changed.” I had no idea how how far our world has come in just 40 years, until I asked my teacher, Mr. Gibson. Since 1978, Mr. Gibson has taught high school math. He attended college at Bemidji State University, receiving his four-year degree and eventually earned his masters. He is a very intelligent man, to say the least. Mr. Gibson explained how change has occurred in the school, how academics have been reshaped by technology, and how life in general has been revamped.

According to Mrs. Weaver, and Mrs. Smith, schools are adjusted according to state and district assessment results by a grading card. The purpose of the North Carolina evaluation instrument is to allow education officials to be able to assess teacher abilities to teach by North Carolina standards. Furthermore, to provide the framework to determine how effective teachers are educating their students and allow teachers and education officials to step in and make adjustments if needed. Teachers can have the opportunity to monitor that own performance and make adjustments. Finally, she states that the, in a nutshell, the purpose of the evaluation process is to measure classroom performance and measure the teacher’s reflection basis for teacher improvement as well as a guide for teacher’s professional development. Professional development for teachers is a process in which they gradually obtain knowledge and skills to improve their teaching abilities. Mrs. Smith stated that she loves teaching and obtaining knowledge because graduation day is the best day in a student’s life.