Is America's failing education system going to impact our economy in 10 years' time?

[Kilroy_x]

Originally Posted by jewpinthethird

I am against vouchers because I don't believe schools should be run like businesses

Why?

and voucher programs are abused by those who already have a means to pay for private school.

How?

Also, vouchers invite the government into previously private institutions.

How?

I have nothing against private schools, but they should not receive any tax-payer money from the government.

Why?

I think a diverse curricula would be more beneficial. Such as providing various routes for students to graduate from high school. For example: receiving high school credit for vocational training, as well as greater cooperation between high schools and community colleges in providing an accelerated path of graduation.

The two things aren't exclusive.

Unfortunately, the way I see it, publics schools are being run like businesses due to a lack in funds. As such, schools cut programs that don't make them money (languages, arts, music, sciences) in favor of those courses which students tested on: mainly math and English (the higher a school scores on standardized tests, the more money they receive). However, you do not see cuts in extracurricular programs like football...because football games are a large source of revenue for schools despite the fact that it has nothing to do with education.

Revenue will always be a factor. You're ignoring other factors which are controllable, like curriculum standards which artificially value Math and English to the point that an inordinate amount of funding needs to go to them.

So what am I saying? Increase funding for public education.

This won't do anything.

Teachers are worn thin as it is: over-sized class rooms, outdated material, and low pay do not make a good education system.

Do you think the countless countries which surpass us in education have small class sizes, the newest materials and high salaries? These things aren't significant. You need to look for your opinions somewhere other than the teacher's unions. If a teacher wants to complain about their sinecures then maybe they should look at the lifestyles of people who actually work for a living first.

We are robbing children of a decent education because this administration (and other state governments) don't see the importance of an well-educated majority.

A well educated majority is impossible. Our colleges are already filled with incompetent professors due to a surplus of graduate degrees brought on by the intervention of a well meaning government.

Half your statements sound meaningless and the other half baseless. Try fleshing them out. I hope for your sake that you can.