Abstract The argument presented in this paper is that the publicschoolsystem has not failed society--and that the privatization of the schoolsystem will do nothing to improve standards. In fact, the paper argues that it is society that has failed the publicschoolsystem, a system based on democratic principles and the right to an education for all.
Examines discrepancies between social and economic status in respect to public education, addressing intentional discrimination in the PublicSchoolsystem.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 7 sources, 2002, $ 62.95
Abstract In the United States, the publicschoolsystem is intended to provide comparable degrees of schooling for all students, regardless of the social or the economic backgrounds of the students. However, many sociologists that study the structure of the Americanpublicschoolsystem find that there is a direct correlation between the social and the economic status of the students in the publicschoolsystem and the quality of the education provided. This correlation indicates that, while the public education system in the United States is supposed to provide identical educational standards for all students, that those students who are in areas with a higher standard of living will receive a better degree of education. This paper examines the correlation with the intention of demonstrating to the reader that the public education system in the United States provides discriminating education according to social and/or economic conditions for all students.
Abstract Examines the history and aims of the publicschoolsystem and its declining quality and proposed solutions. The school vouchers and charter schools solutions are reviewed and alternative systems are looked at. The author concludes that the publicschoolsystem itself needs changes rather than changing the entire system.
From the Paper "The Public School System in the United States was one of the primary and prevailing forms of education in the country at present. The public school system was established as early as 1837 in Massachusetts, wherein Horace Mann, a Bostonian reformist, became the first secretary of the Massachusetts board for the coordination of the public school system. In 1839, the first public school was established, and in 1852, the "first compulsory school-attendance law" was passed in the Massachusetts legislature. By the year 1918, every state in the US was already under this school-attendance law. Public schooling flourished when the Land-Grant Act (or the Morill Act) was approved in 1862, which provided "federal land" to the states for use in establishing public schools."
Abstract This paper examines the issue of holding prayers in publicschools, whether they are mandatory or not. It examines the legal and moral aspects of this issue from the point of view of the three major religions. It details the First Amendment and several cases dealing with this matter and their outcomes. It details different ways of dealing with this problem and ways that are legal to implement it.
From the Paper "In 1947, when the Supreme Court was debating the issue of the separation of church and state, Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black remarked, "The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable." With the case of Lee v. Weisman, the Court drew a distinct line between what is constitutional and what is unconstitutional. The case involved the practice in Providence, Rhode Island, of having a short prayer at the beginning and end of public school graduation ceremonies (an invocation and a benediction). The audience at these ceremonies was made up primarily of students and parents. The Court had to decide whether this short prayer was like the prayers recited to open legislative sessions, or like the daily prayers in public school in front of impressionable schoolchildren. This was not an easy decision to make. Four justices thought that the prayers at public school graduation ceremonies were more in the nature of a formality at a public event. These justices believed that the prayers were part of a long tradition, like prayers at legislative sessions, and could not be seen as an attempt to indoctrinate children in a particular religious belief. The other five justices did not agree and ruled that such prayers violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Justice Kennedy, who wrote the majority opinion, held that while attendance at public school graduation ceremonies is not required, few students would want to miss the ceremony. While the children could absent themselves from the part of the ceremony that contained the prayer, that would be difficult for them because of the very nature of the graduation process. There would also be peer pressure to participate and to not "make a fuss" about the prayer. The Court ruled that because the graduation ceremony is part of an official public school event, prayers cannot be allowed. (CARELLI 2000)."
Abstract This paper takes an in-depth look at the educational system in Canada with emphasis on the publicschoolsystem. The writer compares it with other like system and shows how they differ. Topics discussed are curriculum, tuition and standards. The question of which government body is responsible for the education system is also raised.
From the Paper "Two of the major goals of education are to provide society with the skills and knowledge required for growth, and to give each individual the opportunity for personal development and achievement. The pursuit of these two aims can sometimes conflict, so the Canadian approach to the public education system is founded on coordination, in an attempt to provide education that is diversified, comprehensive, and available to all. The public education system in Canada differs from most countries in that it is composed of ten provincial and three territorial systems, which in addition to controlling public education, is also responsible for denominational schools and private education. The legalities of attendance are common to all thirteen systems, and children are legally required to begin school at the age of six or seven, and must attend until they reach the age of sixteen or seventeen. In order to facilitate this obligation, all public education in Canada, from kindergarten through to grade twelve, is publicly funded and free to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents until the end of secondary school. Post secondary and higher education differs, in that it relies on the payment of tuition fees in all but a handful of cases, such as in Quebec where the general and vocational colleges (CEGEPs) remain publicly funded (Manzer 1994)."
Abstract The paper discusses how a typical day for elementary school students in the publicschoolsystem in Mexico begins for most children with a walk to school, for most school districts do not have fleets of school buses to transport the children as is common throughout most of the United States. The paper depicts how because of widespread poverty, many of the children wear old hand-me-down clothes from older brothers or sisters and are not adequately fed at lunchtime because most Mexican school districts do not have the funding to provide good school lunch programs.
Abstract This paper compares the Korean schoolsystem to the Americanschoolsystem. It discusses issues such as-- curriculum, foreign language studies, uniforms and learning hours. It also examines parent involvement in their children's education in both countries. It concludes that American children have a lot to learn from Korean children and it starts with their schooling.
From the Paper "It's hard to believe that just a year ago, the American economy was growing at an exponential rate with unlimited job opportunities available in almost every industry. With the stock market breaking record highs, new upstart "dot.com" companies making millions in their first year and doubling of jobs in the service sector, a bright and stable future seemed almost a guarantee for many high school students who would soon be entering the job markets. This growth, however short lived, is now in a downhill progression with the plummeting stock market, many computer companies in bankruptcy, and American companies laying people off in record numbers and downsizing nationally. Combine this recession with globalization and American high school students are now facing fierce competition nationally and internationally for jobs. The question is whether or not your average American high school graduate is scholastically prepared to compete for these sought-after jobs? Unfortunately, I don?t think so and I hope to provide valid evidence that will support my thoughts. In comparing the Korean school systems with those of the Americans, I feel that the difference is clear."
Abstract This paper traces the history of the publicschoolsystem, how testing is done to assess a student's progress, how testing in schools only test for one type of intelligence and what an educator can do to incorporate different intelligence into examinations and classwork.
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of merit pay and merit raises for teachers in the publicschoolsystems. The writer explores many aspects on both sides of the issue and concludes that merit raises are a positive idea.
From the Paper "The Constitution of the United States of America gives all children in the nation a right to a free public education. The teachers who teach within that system are charged with molding and developing the mind and characters of those who represent the future. Today's first grader may become the president someday, while the third grader down the hall might grow up to cure cancer. Teachers have one of the most important jobs in the world when it comes to having an influence on what the future holds. They develop the ideas and desires of millions of students each year who will someday go out into the world and take part in its success of failure."
Abstract This paper is about the role of publicschools in the promotion of equality and democracy. The paper provides evidence to show that publicschools have not promoted equality and democracy.
From the Paper "Based on the analysis of the organization educational funding curriculum and other aspects of public schools this paper will argue that schools have reinforced inequality and non-democratic practices ..."
Abstract This paper argues in favor of the adoption of publicschool uniforms. it discusses the 1996 proposal by President Clinton and subsequent developments on the question. The paper evaluates the case for uniforms and arguments made in opposition, and concludes in favor of school uniforms.
From the Paper "In his State of the Union address in then President Bill Clinton included the adoption of uniforms for public school students as one of a number of proposals intended to improve the quality of ..."
Abstract Pointing out that adolescents need a resource from which they can obtain accurate information about healthy sexual behavior, this paper argues, from a practical point of view, that sex education should be taught in publicschools.
From the Paper "There are few subjects that raise as much controversy as the debate over sexual education classes in public schools. Indeed, the topic inevitably induces extreme reactions on both the pro and con sides of the argument. Those who oppose the notion of adolescents receiving sexual education in school usually object on moral grounds arguing that such classes will not merely provide information on healthy sexuality but actually encourage sexual activity in teenagers. However, when one considers the topic from a practical point of view it becomes quite obvious that sexual..."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is threefold. Firstly, the paper provides a summary of contemporary research into the question of publicschool safety. Secondly, the author interviewed a professional in the field of education to gain a firsthand perspective on the matter. Finally, the author analyzed the results of that interview, carefully comparing and contrasting the results with the research.
From the Paper "The purpose of this study is threefold. One, a summary of contemporary research into the subject of safety within the public school systems in the United States will be examined. This research overview should not be considered comprehensive of the whole of this complex field. Rather, it's aim is to provide a general assessment of current trends in this field and examine whether public schools are generally safe. Two, the author has interviewed an education professional with several questions based on the research from the first section. The professional is an elementary teacher in a working class, western Pennsylvanian school. This individual has asked to remain anonymous and will be referred to throughout the interview as Edith. The questions I have asked Edith have been designed to garner a first-hand assessment of public school safety."
Abstract This paper argues that the U.S. education system has dealt with the the tension between liberalism and democracy in the American education system by creating a publicschoolsystem that embraces as many different cultures as possible via a policy of accommodation. In short, the paper looks at how the American education system earnestly seeks to give private individuals and their families some semblance of choice while pursuing an agenda that satisfies the socialization goals of liberal democracies. The paper then discusses and defines the uneasy relationship between the liberal dimension of political liberalism and the liberal democratic demands of political liberalism and briefly looks at how America has dealt with this schism in general. The paper concludes by exploring the modern-day education system's efforts to privilege tolerance for others in a way that still permits individuals to exercise some autonomy - even if the traditional role of parent has increasingly fallen into the hands of the publicschool.
From the Paper "The relationship between liberalism and democracy is undeniably tense in modern American life and this is especially evident in the United States education system. Meira Levinson writes that the "liberal" dimension of political liberalism seeks to keep as much of the individual citizen's life in the private domain as possible; in short, the objective is to shield people from state interference. Conversely, the aforementioned political liberalism also has a democratic dimension wherein the maintenance of liberal democratic institutions is considered of the utmost importance. Consequently, there is a countervailing insistence that citizens identify with the political community and demonstrate the public virtues of critical reflection, mutual respect, and tolerance (Levinson, 333-334)."
