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Jeronique Bartley

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The true problem with education is ___________?

I don’t want to further complicate the topic of education (as it seems to be more complex than it should be.) My goal is to get a general idea of your personal views on what the TRUE problem is in terms of education. We will go more specific later, but for now please just post your general thoughts on the above question.

Complete this statement: The true problem with education is___________.

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Topics: Conflicts of Interest Delearning education education budgets education leadership education platform education reform education revolution problems in education school reform
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  • Joshua Brown

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    Nov 16 2011: I don't believe that in the whole of the education system anyone can find just one problem. That would make the job of fixing the system simple. We are faced with a myriad of problems that all need to be addressed. For example, philosophy is not a core requirement in education. What do we consider an educated person? One who has a grasp of critical thinking, reasoning, interpreting abstract thoughts, etc. I like to ponder why our leaders haven't been able to see the paradox in practice, but the truth is, for me at least, that our leaders are burdened by too many ideas, too much input, too many voices trying to be heard above the general din. In all of the chaos that is politics and society there are sensible solutions. But one solution is not going to fix the system.

    To understand what problems are in the way of the solution we need to spend some time evaluating the different levels of the system (i.e. the macro level, the micro level). I think it would be more helpful if we seek to address city-specific problems that are directly connected to the entire education system rather than looking for a total "one-size fits all" solution. I.E. School lunch nutrition.

    Also, we could think about our stance on "global competition." How long have our children been alive? So long that they have seen the world beyond a screen? How many of our children have had opportunities to travel abroad and actually see the world through an unfiltered lens? Have we given our children choices or limited them with our wants? How much strain do you suppose it places on young minds, who know nothing more of the world than what we tell them, to be competitive in a global market? What does the phrase "competitive in a global market" even mean to children? Such is our philosophy, sadly, to hinder their personal development for the sake of the concept of competition. And what about expectations? I wonder how much pressure is on the youth in America to be "number one" rather than to do one's best.

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