Promotion of Democracy in Education of United States of America

America has long since promoted the idea that it is the best nation when, in reality, America has numerous pitfalls. One example of this is the education system. In the past few decades we have seen a shift in the educational system from educated to being able to regurgitate information. This shift towards a standardized education has led to lack of preparation for life after public education. Causes of this phenomenon have been linked to overcrowded classrooms and lack of funding in the educational system. A study documented by Maura Shirley, an education student at the University of Kentucky expresses that “The study did find that student-teacher ratio does have a negative effect on ACT composite scores, which provides evidence that symptoms of overcrowding should be monitored” (Shirley 3). The education system has tried to include everyone and a direct result of that can be seen in the lowered standards that are present in schools compared to other nations. This recognized flaw was documented in Karol Markowicz’s article about Lowering school standards. In this article he explains that “We’ve gone from raising a generation of kids who expect a participation trophy to one that expects 1st place, every time, no matter what” (Markowicz). American children have been coddled by the education system and it has only served them as a disadvantage when compared to other children across the globe. Principles of democracy do not always empower student learning because, in egalitarian efforts, education becomes dictated by politics, focus on the group over the individual and exclusion of education outside of core subjects.

Democracy is a group of diverse individuals who have unique and common goals that come together in a social contract. Where “alternate thoughts in opposing viewpoints are NOT considered assault” (Hoffman). Furthermore, ideas of accessibility, participation, and debate are strongly encouraged. In a democracy citizen can voice their opinions as equals. However, as Alexis de Tocqueville explains, “The absolute sovereignty of the will of the majority is the essence of democratic government, for in democracies there is nothing outside the majority capable of resisting it.” The laws that are being created depend strongly on the opinions of the voters and as a result, there is a certain insecurity in how democracy operates. While one could argue that this allows for a legislature that changes with the times, it could also be said that the flippant nature of laws can halt progress. For a democratic society to function properly, members of society need to push for participation because what gets put into a democracy usually returns. Democracy gives society the chance to evolve and allows for the constant developing and changing requirements of society. It aims to improve diversity, establish universal equality and promote cooperation.

Politics doesn’t belong in education because it serves as a hindrance to a proper education. Politics creates situations where student success is taken out of the picture and the focus is diverted elsewhere. An excellent example of this is tenure. Tenure is job protection for teachers that is given after a period of employment that ensures them employment baring any unacceptable circumstances. This causes a multitude of issues including making it expensive to remove teachers that are failing and keeping teachers that are teaching with outdated methods that may not be best suited for students of today. Joan Baratz-Snowden, the director of the Education Study Center at the Center for American Progress, explains, “Their teachings are usually based on outdated theories of learning such as “drill and practice” that are unaligned to the curriculum and do not measure the more ambitious educational goals necessary for preparing students to function in a global society” (Baratz-Snowden). These old teachings promote short term “regurgitation” and not “digesting” material and understanding what is being taught. This is clear in standardized testing such as the SAT. According to the documentary Waiting for Superman standardized testing “dumbs down the curriculum and reproduces inequities while marginalizing those who did not grow up speaking a middle-class vernacular” (Guggenheim). From my experience as a student who first went through private education and then transferred into the public school I noticed differences in the age of my teachers and I found that the younger teachers were easier to relate to as compared to some of the older teachers. I believe that if the older teachers had been forced to retire at a younger age there might be a chance for a better learning experience for me and my fellow peers.

Focus on the group over the individual has caused America to lower its standards rather than bring students to the standard. The lowering of this standard serves to only further disadvantage students in the American school system as it makes them inferior as compared to students around the world. In his passage from The Closing of the American Mind, Allan Bloom exclaims, “The Successful university is the proof that a society can be devoted to the well-being of all, without stunting human potential or imprisoning the mind to the goals of the regime” (Bloom 106). While the goal of the individual may differ from the goal of the group, there is no reason that we should be holding students because their peers aren’t ready. In the city of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio “wants to change the admission criteria for schools in the interest of “fairness.” His plan would get rid of tests altogether and reserve about 20% of seats for underrepresented minorities” (Markowicz). This idea of having students accepted into a university based on race is promoting the idea that you don’t have to work hard to succeed: you just need to hope that everything works out. As a recent college applicant, I feel that this is abominable. Students work very hard to earn a spot in a university and they are shunned by the idea that in democracy everyone deserves the same recognition regardless of merit. Additionally, for the student that is working hard but is still unable to meet the standard in high school, I believe that it would be ignorant for them to attempt to comprehend at the college level so we shouldn’t support that path for them and instead focus on people who have surpassed the standard.

The past few decades have shown great change in the role of the teacher and the role of the parent in the life of a child. It is now common practice to have a babysitter take care of your child for you and one could argue that a similar role is placed on teachers. Teachers have been asked to step up in the process of raising a child in a way that is outside of their job requirements. In William A. Henry’s book, In Defense of Elitism, he explains “There was a time, not so very long ago and still fondly remembered by most who lived through it when schools taught discipline, self-denial, and deference to one’s betters” (Henry 142). These skills aren’t being taught at home and as a result teachers are forced to take on the role of parent and teach these “soft skills” that are outside of the curriculum. I personally believe that this should be done by the parents in the first place. We need to be relying less on services like babysitting and daycare. If that isn't an option for some reason, there should be extracurricular classes that are available for students, so they are able to have those skills and not take class time away from the rest of the class for the teacher to explain them.

In conclusion, politics, focus on the group over the individual and exclusion of education outside of core subjects are currently used to foster an accessible education, however this does not always benefit the students. Rather, Schools should support the competitive nature of the human spirit and kindle an excitement for students to achieve mastery. Teachers should be constantly motivated to provide innovative learning with the most up to date techniques available and if found to be incapable of supporting their students, they shall be replaced. Students shouldn’t be awarded based on race, religion or any other qualitative feature. Instead, they should be praised for their mastery of a subject given a set of standards that prepares them to be competitive in global market.