RUNNING HEAD: IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

The Improvement of the education system in the United States

Karla Tarin
The University of Texas at El Paso

IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

Abstract:
This paper explores two major opposite positions regarding the ways in which the present
education system in the United States could possibly be improved. By defining each sides
arguments and propositions towards how to improve the education system, this paper will also
explain the mistakes that each side defines as the ultimate fault in our current one. More
specifically, this paper focuses on those who advocate for further implementation of STEM
(which stands for science, technology, engineering and math) subjects, and those who on the
contrary, advocate for a more creative environment for students, focusing on subjects such as
humanities and the arts. This paper explores and analyses the reasons why the current education
system is regarded as one of the less prolific among the industrialized countries, and concludes
with an analysis from top education policy makers and prolific philanthropists on the
effectiveness of each sides suggestions towards the ways they are trying to obtain a higher rate
of success among this nations students.

IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES

According to the National center for Education Statistics, this year about fifty million
students will attend public primary and secondary schools in the United States (2014). Education
is vital in keeping a country afloat and competent. However, according to a research done by the
PDK International Professional Association in Education, more than seventy percent of the
surveyed Americans disagree, or are not conformed with the quality of the current public
education system and the results it is having on children (Kappan,2012). Even though most of
the population agrees that the current education system needs to be fixed, or replaced, not
everyone thinks that it can be remedied in the same way. There are two main sides which provide
with answers as to why the education system is failing and therefore each suggesting an
individual and unique way in which it can be fixed. One of the major opinions consists of current
public schools being excessively focused on STEM subjects as stated by Ken Robinson, a
major advocator for creativity in the school system (2012). Robinson states that the lack of
creativity is leading the students to a forced education in which [they] are pretty much prisoners
of a fact-based learning (2012). On the other hand, the opposing dominant point of view
consists of one that regards STEM subjects as the future of the economy as stated by James
Brown, executive director of the STEM Education Coalition in Washington D,C. arguing that
Thats where the jobs of tomorrow will be, Brown therefore, encourages the further
implementation of these subjects in the core curriculum at public education institutions of basic
level, that is; kindergarten to 12th grade. (Howarth,2013)
Current status of American Education
According to a survey done by the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup, about the Publics attitude
towards education (2012), a majority of the population in The United States believes that what

IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

our current education system needs, is more funding. However, according to Tom Vander Ark,
executive director for education at the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, (which is one of the
most influential philanthropic contributors among education) stated that Money is no longer the
problem (New York Times,2012) Vander Ark also stated that throughout the years, funding and
donations towards bettering the education system have been increasing, however, despite this
augmentation in financial support, test scores have not increased in the most slightly manner, but
actually are decreasing instead. (New York Times, 2012). Currently, the United States ranks
twenty-fifth in math, and twenty-first in science out of the thirty industrialized nations tested
under the 2012 international program for international Student Assessment (Guggenheim, 2011).
This situation was summarized by Geoffrey Canada; co-producer of a documentary who explores
children struggling to advance in education. Canada stated that Either kids are getting stupider
every year, or there is something wrong with the education system (2011).It is true that almost
every parent, teacher, and policy maker wants a change in our education system, however, now
that it is clear that economic reasons are not the problem, what it is not clearly defined is what
approach should be taken now.
The STEM approach
One of the major ways or approach by which it is believed the current education system
can be improved, is by the further implementation of STEM subjects in the core curriculum.
According to the United States department of education, STEM related occupations are expected
to grow with considerable advantage compared to those that are non-STEM related, with
biomedical Engineering taking the lead. These careers are expected to increase almost four times
as much as the rest of the career fields (see Figure 1). Because of the importance of these
occupations in the future development of this country, which is one that competes on a

IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

globalized level, many have taken a stand in which they support these fields as the
main subjects to learn at basic education stages. If the future of the economy is based on this type
of careers, success is then defined by this side of
the issue as having the opportunity to have a place
in one of these flourishing fields. According to the
United States department of commerce economics
and statistics Administration, STEM field workers
earn an approximate of twenty-six percent more
than their counterparts (2010). This approach has
been favored by many, including Barack Obama,
Figure 1. (United States Department of Commerce, 2011)

president of the United States, by stating that

"...Leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students todayespecially in science,

technology, engineering and math."(2010). Since STEM related careers are expected to be the
future of not only this nation, but the world, many have opted to support the renovation of our
current education system in order to encourage students to take part in this change. The book
success with stem: Beyond the classroom, further supports this side of the issue by inferring that
if a greater value is given to these subjects, children will become more interested on them, and
will make them realize the importance and personal realization that they can achieve. This choice
of study will also lead them to earn more money in the future, and keep the nation innovative and
moving forward as a result. (Howarth, 2013).

IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

A more artistic approach

Although STEM fields are the ones with the greatest estimated rate of growth, there is
also another perspective, which takes in account the individual student and personal interests as
the main concern. Sir Ken Robinson, author of various books regarding the search for personal
happiness and success, is an activist for the implementation of subjects such as the arts,
humanities, and physical education in the current core curriculum at basic levels in public
education. Robinson defines success not only on an economic aspect, but on an individual and
more spiritual one. There are three different aspects that have driven human life since the
beginning of times; one: humans are different and diverse, two: curiosity; humans are natural
learners, and finally creativity. (Robinson, 2013). Robinson argues that not enough attention is
given to those who want to pursue careers in fields other than STEM-related. Robinson believes
that creativity is innate in humans, and therefore the education system should be open to support
whatever personal skill each student has. Peter Gray, a research professor at the University of
Boston, agrees with Robinson in that the current education system is only focused in trying to
prepare students for careers that are not wanted by every single student. Gray states that:
We no longer use the cane, as schoolmasters once did, but instead rely on a
system of

incessant testing, grading, and ranking of children compared with

their peers. We thereby tap into and distort the human emotional systems of
shame and pride to motivate children to do the work. (Gray, 2009)
By stating this, Gray makes a reference to the millions of children who feel ashamed at
performing at lower levels than their fellow classmates, and are taught to feel pride when
performing better only on subjects such as math and science. This may be the cause of the

IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

increasing drop-out rate in the United States said Robinson (2013). Both of these authors, agree
that school is something in which children lose their sense of self-direction (Gray, 2009) for
they are taught that money is what matters and they should pursue a career in whatever main job
career is dominating regardless of what their real passion in life may be. This point of view is
supported by many parents, teachers, and students themselves who value personal success over
the main way of obtaining money.
What is done about this issue.
Even though there are many suggestions as to how to improve the current education
system, including to either focus more on STEM related subjects, and the opposite opinion of
giving the students the opportunity to choose what they are interested in themselves, what is
really important today, is what is being done to address this problem, regardless of the approach
taken. A school system is not an organization where you can hire the right people, and turn
things around said Frederick Hess, director of education policy studies at the American
Enterprise Institute. (New York Times, 2012) According to the United States department of
education, currently more than five hundred billion dollars are being spent on education in this
country, and funding is being given to both STEM programs and creativity- encouraging ones.
However, the majority of these programs are after school, which means that at this time, no
major change has been made in the core curriculum itself in favor of any of these two points of
view.

IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

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U.S Department of Education. (2010). Education for Global Leadership. Retrieved October 11,
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IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

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