The American Educational System

Paper Summary:

This paper presents statistics that indicate the failure of the American high schools. The author outlines factors that play major roles in the disruption of learning, such as not spending adequate amounts of time on homework as compared to students in other industrialized countries. The paper relates that the teaching methods and pedagogical philosophies applied by teachers and educators have contributed greatly to the breakdown of the American public educational system. The author concludes that, if federal and state governments do not repair this antiquated and destructive way of conducting the educational business of America's students, parents will be forced to seek other ways to educate their children.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Major Disruptive Influences
Exterior Influences
Traditional Values
Television and Other Technologies
Teaching Methods
Uncreative Behavior
Negative Reinforcement
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"One of the most important major disruptive influences on the current status of the American public education system is related to the power of events that occur outside of the school environment. Dr. Lawrence Wilson contends that one of these powerful events is the breakdown of the American family. He states that since "parents often work and (spend) less time with their children, the school system then must substitute or compensate for less parental attention", which only decreases the amount of time the school system can apply to teaching academics."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Crystal, Dennis. (1998). "Psychological Maladjustment and Academic Achievement: A Cross Cultural Study." Child Development. 65: 738-53.
• National Commission on Excellence in Education (2000). A Nation At Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform. U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC.
• Wilson, Lawrence, MD. (2006). "Why Is the School System in Trouble?" Internet.Accessed February 8, 2006. http://www.drlwilson.com/Articles/school%20system.htm.
• Zinsmeister, Karl (2000). "The Quality of Public Education has Declined." Education: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press.

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