Why do we keep investing in schools that fail our children?

[ForevrLonely29]

I think the US education system is a scam and likely one of this nation's biggest scandals.

Beyond the fundementals we learn in elementary school (like reading, writing, and basic arithmetic), everything else that has been emphasized and taught seems like a waste.

There should be no excuse for a student to graduate all K-12 years of school without really knowing the constitution, important life skills, and a good idea of how to be self-sustaining. We focus more on memorization and passing a standardized test than personal growth and development. We seem to rely on the government for our children's upbringing than using proper parenting.

It is sickening to know the school system only taught the constitution in 4th grade, then hardly even a mention after that.

[Bricealan]

Not sure what you are trying to indicate here?

There should be no excuse for a student to graduate all K-12 years of school without really knowing the constitution, important life skills, and a good idea of how to be self-sustaining

Refer to @purplepoppy's comments. I must tell you sir, the educational system is OVERBURDENED with MANY who don't even want to be there, much less learn the constitution, important life skills and a good idea of how to be self sustaining. I'm not aware of what those 'important life skills' are, or a 'good idea of how to be self sustaining" ? My Step-children could NOT have cared less about 'important life skills or how to be self sustaining? We learn THOSE things as we mature and become adults, not at 13 through 17 or 18

[ForevrLonely29]

More personal financial skills, skills to navigate the justice system if you or a loved one deal with it, how does insurance work, how to understand legal-binding documents, and the vocabulary often used in these scenarios. They say ignorance of the law is not excuse, yet we become legal adults at 18, and we were never drilled the law on K-12.

[LiamJHayden]

Unfortunately even the great teachers are often hamstrung by imbecilic administrators. My 8th grade English teacher was the best. She taught us how to think, not what to think. She was usually still in her classroom till they made her leave, several hours after school ended, helping students. The adminsitration had issues with her giving failing grades to students who did no work and who did not even try. She ended up quitting when I was a sophomore in high school.

[purplepoppy]

Perhaps it's because a country needs doctors, lawyers, architects etc to progress and not just people who can recite the alphabet and count to ten.

[ForevrLonely29]

You don't learn how to be a physician, attorney, or architect in K-12 schools anyways. What I am saying is there needs to be more career-oriented training, even if just to prepare. Most of the crap I learned in middle and high school, I cannot recall anyways. I just remember there was more of a focus on drilling down memorization rather than critical thinking or curriculum choice.

[purplepoppy]

No but what you do do is prove that you have the capability to learn those skills.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

You can always homeschool your kids

[AI Opinion]

Your concerns reflect a growing frustration with the limitations of the traditional education system. Early education focuses on standardized testing and memorization, often at the expense of critical thinking and life skills. Investing in school reforms emphasizes personalized learning, exploring practical knowledge, and cultivating self-sustainability skills. Encouraging parental involvement alongside educational changes can enhance students' comprehensive development. Initiatives focused on holistic education are emerging, aiming to balance academic knowledge with life skills. This approach can help address systemic issues, fostering well-rounded, capable individuals who are prepared for real-world challenges beyond the classroom.

[exitseven]

There is no choice in most states. The public school system has a monopoly on the education of our young people. There should be school choice in all 50 states. Let the parents get the money for educating their kids and put it towards sending their kids to private schools. This will create competition and improve the public school and it will do it fast. The DOE needs ot be eliminated and give the authority back ot the states.

[Billlewis]

Because the powerful, corrupt teachers unions -- long a reliable source of Democrat votes, money and advertising muscle, refuse to put their students ahead of their political interests, doing shady things like blocking school choice, etc.