In 750 words or less explain how the education of your generation is better or worse than your parent's generation.
There are multiple reasons why I believe my parent’s education was better than the education my generation is receiving today. Stricter laws, lowering the standard of education and busier schedules have contributed to unsatisfactory education for my generation. Regardless of the need, the amount of federal funds given to each school depends on standardized test scores that may not show the true aptitude of each student. While the idea of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 is a good one, it has trained children who have the potential to be at the top of their class to not try as hard because they have to learn at the same speed as their peers. Parents of children in my generation are not as involved in the education of their children as they were when my parents were young. With busier schedules and less time for families to sit down and talk about school or the problems in the students’ lives, teachers have literally lost control in their classrooms over the past few decades.
The No Child Left Behind Act established on January 8, 2002 has forever changed education. My parent’s education was better than the education students in my generation are receiving due to new laws declaring that the Federal Government is to cut funds and benefits to schools with lower test scores. A good grade in my parent’s generation was not nearly as important as whether the child was learning or not. Statistically, lower test scores are found in inner-city schools where teachers are not given money to pay for proper materials and other necessary equipment for the education of their students. Higher test scores are typically found in areas with higher taxes and more federal funding. Whether the area from which the child is from or if the student just does not perform well in tests, cutting budgets just lowers the potential for improvement. While raising the standards in public schools is important, taking money and resources away from students because of their test scores is not the answer but sadly the “norm” in today’s society.
The No Child Left Behind Act has forced teachers to educate to the lowest echelon of the student body. If a student is able to excel in a subject, they are not given the resources to surpass their peers. Students who are found at the top percentile of their class become board and uninterested in learning to their highest potential. Our current society does not cater to those who excel in studies but rather the students who struggle; while standards are being raised, the education system is allowing students to “slack-off” if they understand the information already. Students who do not have the ability to learn as quickly as other students are trained by the act to not try because the teachers are forced to slow down so “no child is left behind.” No matter how slow the teacher discovers a child is learning, the teacher has to meet that speed, regardless of other students. Our public schools in today’s society do not prepare high school students for college. College professors teach to the students with the most potential and drive to learn.
Each night, when my parent’s were my age, they would sit down with their families and have dinner. In today’s society, children’s days are filled with sports practices, extra-curricular activities, and work. Many children are provided with cars allowing them to come and go from their houses as they please. With busy schedules and easily available transportation for students, often children do not take the time to sit down with their families for a nightly dinner. Time around the family table teaches children communication skills while providing them with at least one good meal. Sitting down each night at the dinner table provides parents with time to communicate with their children about their school activities and other important happenings in the child’s life. When my parent’s were young, teaching was not only done by the set educator, parents were actively involved in the process of the education of the child. Consequences were used in the classroom when needed and parents supported the respect for teachers and administration. Teachers are unable to discipline students as they see fit for fear of retribution.
In today’s society, students are being hurt by the new laws put in place by the Federal Government. My parent’s generation was challenged regardless of their ability but rather by the teachers identifying their potential to learn.
I wrote this for a scholarship, I figure it isn't what they wanted to hear. Life has been pretty quite here in Bowling Green. My roommate came home at 2am all full of shits and giggles, it was nice to see her excited to stay here for the weekend. She went to a bar and had "some old guy" dancing "all up on her." As she was falling asleep she was mumbling something about the Cupid Shuffle or the Crank 'Dat Slide, or the Cleveland Shuffle. I agreed to teach her Lindi Hop if she agreed to teach me the Cupid Shuffle. I am totally intrigued. She said she was sad because she was the only one at the club that new the Cupid Shuffle-- I wonder why?
I needed to take this night to watch The Goonies and eat Ho Hos on my futon with my other friend Jen. I am trying to get healthy the old fashioned way-- chocolate.
