The Inspiration For American Education

Senegal is a small country in Africa with an abundant history which is reflected by its diverse population. In 1840, the French government declared Senegal a “French possession” and established a political administration. The French abolished slavery in 1848 and every person was given French citizenship. During this colonial period, the French developed state schools made of European style education, which was available to the Africans; this created a “French educated, African elite”.1

Schools have changed remarkably since they were first introduced centuries ago. Continue reading in order to find out how the past has shaped education, as we know it. There are six main eras or time periods in which important things occurred for the American School System, The colonial era, The growth of public schooling, The progressive era, the segregation and Integration era, the 1960s-1970s, and the 1980- present era.

Education in America is one of the most important issues that face our nation. If the education in America is not thought of one of most serious issues we face, our nation as a whole will fall. There are many debates and they seemly extend to all walks of life. The debates range from the decline in education, school vouchers, and the no child left behind law. As a nation, the United States is ranked above others. We must search for that solution to all of the pro’s and con’s in education. The solution should allow all walks of life to excel in the education realm. After all, the children of today will be the leaders of tomorrow.

Recently there has been a lot of debate about the importance of college education. Students are asking if it’s worth the debt to attend a four year university or community college. Some are thinking what are the benefits of a degree is in the workforce. With college tuition increasing and state fundings lowering, low income students are struggling to attain a higher education. College institutions should have a role to provide students higher education and equal opportunity to students to increase social mobility yet intergenerational reproduction of privilege has produced inequality in education.

The most important reason why americans should go to college is that it prepares them to function in this increasingly complex world. Going to college also helps you get skills and help you understand and get better knowledge of things. Having a higher level of education allows you to have more open doors to better jobs and better pay. Including having your own business. Educated people are most likely to succeed. Kids don 't have the luxury of attending good schools in california as we do. We get help from the government to attend school.

In today's world college is a major aspect of our society. However, many argue whether or not everyone should actually go to college. Not everyone should go to college for two main reasons. Not everyone that goes to college can graduate because they don't take it seriously or they are just not smart enough and they end up just wasting money. Second, not everyone can afford college and depending on what job you get, you might acquire so much debt it will very hard to pay off later and college might not be worth it.

Third, a college degree is not the best option for everybody because it creates debt. College isn’t cheap and various colleges across the nation are raising their tuition up because of the availability of federal of student aid. Therefore, this results in an increasing amount of debt for many students. Many students are struggling to pay off their student debt. According to article Student Debt Tom Price states, “A majority of college graduates are leaving school owing more than $25,000, and nearly 7 million have defaulted on their student loans—student debt nationwide totals almost $1.3 trillion”. That is roughly half of the nation of college graduates who owe back student debt. Tuition is so high that many students cannot afford to pay it. Therefore, they have to take out student loans and although a person may have a full-time or part-time job it is still harder to pay back the loans on time. For example, Jasmin Johnson explains how she owes more than $65,000 in student debt, and she’s still a year away from graduating. Tuition is so high that many students cannot afford to pay it. Johnson explains “she couldn’t afford the cost and to keep up with her studies while working full time to pay her bills”. For this reason, we see that it is a burden to pay back student loans while maintaining other priorities. Eventually, this leads to debt. There has been a high percentage of college students who cannot pay back their students loans. According to Bridget Terry Long essay, she states, “we have reached an enrollment level in which a small percentage translates into thousands and thousands of students each year. And that is a problem that cannot be ignored.”(46) She points out that not enough people make enough money to afford college. Therefore, many people can’t pay their debt back and there should be action taken against this so that college can be affordable for everyone. As the cost of tuition, fees, and room and board increases then students will have more loans to pay. According to the article Student Debt, the chart displays that nearly “10 percent of universities have increased their tuition of $20,000 or more. Debt has become a big issue for every college student. It results in other issues such as,

Today, the cost of attending many public colleges is so high that a lot of students simply can't afford to. As a result, far fewer students from lower-income

In " Free College Doesn't Fix Everything,” Richard Reeves, a senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution. Said that Community colleges in the United States can, in theory, provide an important service. not everyone has the same opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree. Most high school students from rich families will end the university, some of humble origin will join them. At this time, the system of institutions in the United States serves to reinforce inequality from generation to generation, rather than reduce it. However, some students do not get into college, or do not finish their studies, and this is not only economically-financial situation is also due to the weakness that has America in education. However,

College is important for people and it is worth it. College will pay off in the future and college will help others in life. College should be for everybody because people need to go to college to get an education and graduate to be something. “Going to college is worth it because there are different opportunities that people can take to be successful, but the way that took to get a good degree will help them in the future.” (“Is College Worth It?”

“ A lack of money is the most common explanation for why lower-income children do not go to college” ( Lindsey 341). In this quote, the author shows how hard it is for some lower-income kids to go to college when they are out of high school.

Studies suggest that fifty percent or more of new jobs that will appear in the upcoming decades will require their employees to have a postsecondary education (America’s Promise). However, the rising price of a college education is preventing many students from achieving their goal. This only adds to the number of unemployed young adults and the number of Americans living in property. People always say if you’re tired of being poor then do something about it but it is not as simple as it used to be. In the past thirty years the cost of getting a college degree has increase by 1,120 percent (Mosbergn). Not only that, but if you do manage to get a degree after you graduate you are often left paying off student loan debt. As of 2013, the amount of student loan debt to be paid off has surpassed one trillion dollars. Another reason why many student opt out of going to college is because they believe it is a waste of time. While that may not be the case for all students a recent poll showed that forty percent of college graduates are unemployed and left struggling to pay off a student loan alone with no job

From 1945 until 1958 education was a secondary to most American adults, economic factors such as the great depression and military service contributed to low education level for the overall population. Most students during this time frame did not graduate from high school and did not plan to attend college. However, in the late 40‘s and early 50’s Soldiers returning from war begin to use their GI bills, and soon begin to realize their education level is woefully inadequate, this is due what they learned during elementary and throughout high school. Most curriculum during this time frame is life skill based, most rural school teachers are not equipped to teach advanced math or science and do not have the facilities to support this

In today 's generation a college education seems more like a choice than a requirement. From the time we enter elementary school we are being prepared for college. In this society Education happens to raise a lot of questions, for instances; “are people going to college to gain knowledge or for a good paying job?”, “with today 's technology is a degree essential to ones life?” and “ is school meant for everyone?” Education has a lot of connotations behind it which causes debates. The American society and students should be for college degrees because it expands academic knowledge, global exposure, and career preparation.

Obtaining a college degree is vital in todays day and age; such as if you do not have an education it is hard to land a well paying job, which holding a higher paying job entails a healthier or better quality of life. Of course this is not the dream for every American