The United States ranks relatively
low in academic performance when compared to other countries in all three of
the main subject areas tested (math, reading, and science). This is odd at first glance, especially when
one considers that the United States spends much more on education than most
countries. For example, the Slovak Republic, a comparable performer on
international tests, spends $53,000 per year per student while the United
States spends $115,000, all while achieving nearly the same international
ranking. This is troublesome as an aspiring teacher in the United States.
Obviously, something that schools are doing is not working, and throwing more
money into education is not going to be a quick fix.
Another
important note is that data trends in United States student performance show no
significant changes over time. This is troubling because schools have been
implementing new methods of teaching and new standards. The fact that there has
been no significant change in student performance shows that what schools are
doing is not working. In order to compete internationally, the United States
needs to make significant, research-backed changes to the curricula in schools
along with the way material is being delivered.
Because of
the United States’ financial resources, the country has the potential to become
a top performer. Only three countries outspend the United States on education,
so having enough money is not the issue. If the United States could change
their approach, or even more strictly police the implementation of strategies
like Common Core, their overall performance could skyrocket. Of course, this is
much easier said than done. Obstacles like income disparity by district or even
by state stand in the way of equitable education for all. The differences in
performance between the states is much larger than it should be, especially
considering that everyone is supposed to be teaching to the Common Core
Standards. The United States needs to do a realistic overhaul of the system,
creating a easily enforced plan for how to improve schools.
Of course,
this is much more complicated than just an international ranking or even the
overall approach to education in the United States. Changes need to be made at
the level of individual schools in order to increase academic expectations and
motivation of students, teachers, schools, and even parents. Take McNair High
School, a low socioeconomic high school, in Atlanta, Georgia. Students have
little to no motivation to learn. They see themselves as trapped in their
situation, and no matter what teachers tell them, they do not see education as
a way out. Behavior issues plague the school, escalating as far as fights that
end up hospitalizing students. Issues outside of school affect school
performance and ultimately even the moral of the school is a whole. Teachers
are overworked and overwhelmed and are often left wondering if what they are
doing is making a difference in these kids’ lives. One teacher at McNair High
School shared with me that there has not yet been a day this school year where
she has not been sworn at and called horrible names. These teachers are given
few resources to help kids who are five or more grade levels behind where they
are expected to be. The culture of the school is sort of a “good enough”
mentality, and students are pushed through grades even when they have not
mastered material. Parents have much larger life issues to worry about than how
their child is doing in school. The entire culture of the school is a mess, and
in order to truly make any sort of change to academic expectations, the culture
of the school needs an overhaul. In contrast, Northfield High School in
Northfield, Minnesota is a relatively well of high school and is one of the
highest performing in the state. Students are motivated to learn, both as
internal motivation and because education is something that is valued in the
community and by their parents. Northfield has two great private liberal arts
colleges, so students aspire to attend schools like those, knowing that they
will have to be great in order to get in. Teachers push students to be the best
they can be and do not give good grades for “good enough.” They set high
expectations for behavior and academics, and they follow through on those
expectations. The culture of the school is one of growth and learning, which
has really contributed to Northfield High School’s success.
Ultimately,
despite the culture of the school and country as a whole setting the stage for
students, individual teachers need to set and maintain high academic and
behavioral expectations for their students. If students are held to a higher
standard and are able to see their work paying off, they are more likely to
care about their education. Using strategies like Project Based Learning to get
students invested in their learning can really help turn the culture of a class
around. If students feel like what they are doing is worthwhile, they are more
likely to put in 100% to their work. Additionally, if expectations for behavior
and academics are created with the students, students are more likely to hold
themselves accountable for their performance. Teachers need to recognize the
position that they are in. How they approach their classroom and the
expectations to which they hold their students have a huge impact on how
students will perform. It is important to have strategies in place that hold
students to these high standards, including things like only accepting
completely right answers and stretching knowledge beyond the subject at hand.
When teachers can successfully implement these strategies, a culture of
learning is created, and students are more likely achieve higher outcomes.
References
Teach Like A Champion. (n.d.). Setting High Expectations. Retireved from http://teachnowprogram.com/activity/candidate/id/672
United States. (2012). Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development. Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/pisa/keyfindings/pisa-2012- results.htm
Weisenthal, Joe. (2013, December 3). Here's The New Ranking Of Top Countries In Reading, Science, And Math. Retried from http://www.businessinsider.com/pisa-rankings-2013-12
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