An education, at least the one Jefferson thought was vital to America, is being sacrificed to the corporate world, as rising tuition rates and the selling out of intellect increases (Cole). Public education and equal access to all is fundamental to the American society. The country was built on the concept that citizens could make something of themselves and that birthright did not necessary guarantee success (Cole). In addition the media promotes the ideal that an education is not necessary for success. This is a view that is digested by far too much of society. Education is becoming harder to obtain and the majority of media outlets, where many people obtain information and opinions, is tainted by corporate influences resulting in the dumbing down of America. The devaluation of educational endeavors is taking place and in its place the influence of the corporate media conglomerates and their newly found medium, reality television, has taken over resulting in ignorant, poorly educated masses who are subsequently at risk of manipulation by the elite oligarchs. Education in America has evolved, or should it be said devolved, into a system designed to make the rich richer and the poor poorer (Payne). It is designed to educate the elite and leave the rest to simple and mindless work. Media has contributed by making the uneducated satisfied with their place in society and entertaining them with mindless drivel. The idea that in America one receives fame and fortune without a higher education is plastered on the television screen, in the music industry, on billboards and in the headlines of papers. Few mega-stars, pop-moguls, television stars, valued athletes or overnight millionaires have achieved through higher educat... ... middle of paper ... ...>. Lewin, Tamar. "Study Finds Public Discontent with Colleges." 17 February 2010. The New York Times. Web. 17 May 2012. . Moody, Rick. "Frank Miller and the rise of crytofascist Hollywood." 24 November 2011. The guardian. Web. 15 May 2012. . Murrow, edward R. "RTNDA Convention Chicago." 15 October 1958. Web. 21 May 2012. . Payne, Michael. "Corporatism's Plan for the Dumbing Down of America." 17 May 2012. OpEdNews. Web. 17 May 2012. . "Who owns CNN? or MSNBC? or ABC?" 9 April 2003. Indymedia.org. Web. 17 May 2012. .
America has not changed it’s educational system in over two hundred years. For this reason, our students and population are falling further and further behind. Our society has done nothing but move forward, so why hasn’t our learning? Everybody has a story, opinion, or response to education. We need to invest in refining our tools to succeed, to create a better sense of self, and a stronger, more well-rounded nation. The American educational system is hurting students by passing them without merit and relying on standardized tests; however, many are now running back to these hollowed halls to ensure better futures.
In Rereading America Michael Moore entitled “Idiot Nation” focuses on the failing educational system in the United States of America. The American nation has decreased in their studies and have lowered their standards, yet America still claims they have their priorities in order, which is education. Moore attempts to persuade his readers that the people who are to blame are lack of education in politics and the budget cuts they are making, however, politics blame teachers for making America decrease in their schooling test scores. Americas have many opportunities and useful tools to be successful; however,
If it was not apparent enough that America’s education system is failing, Michael Moore’s “Idiot Nation” openly explains to us about the truth. America, for being the richest country, is behind in the educational standpoint. America needs to rethink their standards when it comes to education. America is more focused on corporate earning than educating our youth. The author of “Idiot Nation” makes the reader think about how America is viewed in the world. The purpose of Michael Moore’s essay is to point out what is wrong with this nation and also give the reader the motivation to actually do something about the situation at hand. Moore is trying to make readers aware of where we send our children. The author is trying to shock readers with the facts to do something to improve the American education system.
Bruenig, Matt. “The Case Against Free College.” The New Republic. The New Republic, 5 October
In “Project Classroom Makeover,” Cathy Davidson gives the reader a taste of the first few tiers of the educational hierarchy in the United States while, in “Biographies of Hegemony,” Karen Ho’s shows the later tiers, ones regarding higher education and elite jobs. Since a young age, children have been instilled with the desire to be the best and impress. They are taught always aim for the highest version of themselves and to pride themselves on “smartness.” (Ho 167) But how can American student be the best version of themselves, if they aren’t all receiving, as Davidson shows us, the best education they could from the school system?
Education is the backbone of most nations. Proper teaching to students ensure things such as better technology, better fund distributions, running operations like businesses, military training, and the government. Sadly, our nation is very low on the ladder when it comes to education. Students First has pointed out that most children are reading below their grade level, are respectively the 20th and 27th best nation when it comes to Math and Science, and there is no signifigant change. Americans are however getting an education, though lower than against other nations America still are able to make a living with their lives. There is much needed improvement, but at least Americans are not completely ignorant. Citizens can make a living with their lives and though not as intelligent as someone from Korea or Japan there is no way to dispute that our education system is doing
Something I have always known since I was a little kid is that the educational system in this country is a complete fraud. American schools claim to live by the ideal of No Child Left Behind, but millions of students get cast aside each and every year. In schools these days, it is obvious which students are the elite—those that are raised up and motivated to go to college—and the ordinary student— those that are somewhat ignored throughout their schooling and are lucky if they even earn a GED. As a recent graduate of high school, and a product of this country’s educational system, I have had the opportunity to develop my own opinions regarding the myth of education in our society. Based upon my observations going through the school system, and the various arguments posed by several authors in “Rereading America”, I strongly believe that schooling in this society caters solely to students in the elite category while ostracizing students that do not live up to the elitist ideal.
Education is one of the cornerstones and pillars to the establishment and preservation of democracy. In history, countless scores of philosophers and political thinkers believed that only an educated citizenry can take on the quintessential task of upholding democracy. Thomas Jefferson, the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence, stated that “an informed citizenry is the only true repository of the public will.” A renowned defender of public education, Jefferson proposed plans for an education system that included grammar schools in his presidency. As a result of these relentless policies for education, the United States expanded on the concept of public instruction through the establishment and upkeep of a practical education system. The United States continued this tradition and established a reputation as one of the best education in the world. Currently, this is no longer valid as other countries such as Finland, China, and South Korea are competing for the dominant position through rigorous reforms that aim to boost student performances (“Best Education”). Meanwhile, the American system is inefficient, inhibited by political obstacles and gridlock while Finland, the top ranked country in terms of schooling, is continuing to improve. According to the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) examinations that tested pupils across a variety of subjects such as reading, mathematics, and science of 2009, Finland’s students were ranked among the top (“PISA 2009”). The American students were ranked below average for industrialized countries in the world, revealing the reality of the educational crisis in the country. Finland’s education system, compared to the Americans, offers major differences that greatly ...
The American Education System has been a core component to the development of generations since it became a public system in the 1870s. Since then more rules, higher expectations for some, and even lower expectations for others have been added to the original structure. In recent years, many debates have surfaced over whether the American education system is failing. Too few they believe the American Education System is on the right track. Most researchers however have shown statistics that it is in fact slowly declining as new acts and regimens are added. It has been on a downward spiral for years and citizens have been watching it happen, the lack of government funding, acts like the No Child Left behind Act, focus in the wrong places, and the curriculum set up is acting as a deterrent for success.
Throughout the years, America has always debated whether education is needed- if it helps people succeed or not. The argument in the past was always over high school education, which is now mandatory. That decision has helped the US rise economically and industrially. Today, the US is in the middle of the same debate- this time, over college. Some, like David Leonhardt, a columnist for the business section of The New York Times, think a college education creates success in any job. Others, such as Christopher Beha, an author and assistant editor of Harper’s Magazine, believe that some college “education” (like that of for-profit schools) is a waste of time, and can even be harmful to students. Each stance on this argument has truth to it, and there is no simple answer to this rising issue in an ever changing nation full of unique people. Any final decision would affect the United States in all factions- especially economically and socially. However, despite the many arguments against college, there is overwhelming proof that college is good for all students, academically or not.
In Defense of Elitism. Summary The dominant theme in this essay appears to be this: post war social changes such as offering increased university admission promote the view of egalitarianism in education. The author’s main issue with “secondary” education is the sheer numbers of our population that the United States as a whole educates. According to Mr. Henry, the United States educates nearly thirty percent of high school graduates who go on to a four-year bachelor’s degree. He believes that the increased number of graduates has led to a workforce of mediocrity.
Throughout the course of time, teaching, scores, and curriculum have changed to where education is mainly about “being okay” and never about actually improving; and abundant amount of people hold the theory that the government is well aware of this fact and has contributed to the continual downfall of American education in an effort to systematically decrease the competency and literacy of the American population, making them easier to manipulate and allowing the government to achieve increasingly greater power and control over the American population; as a result, Americans are being submerged in a culture that has encouraged them to become more complacent and less interested in bettering themselves which has allowed the government this power that continues to grow.
The purpose of Michael Moore’s article is to focus upon the different insights of a society and to point out all of its flaws. As a college dropout himself, he blames the education system and tells the readers about its loopholes. He blames the ills of America on it being represented by ignorant high ranking officers and blames the people for electing ignorant presidents who keep bragging about everything and end up looking stupid. On the other hand, Gatto who was a teacher for almost three decades claims the students as well as the teachers were equally bored at the s...
What pleasure do you get from watching a group of people humiliate themselves in the name of television? Media both in the UK and around. the world seems to have "discovered" that so-called "reality" shows are. very profitable, resulting in a growing string of such shows in recent years. years.
Throughout history, there have been many different genres of television shows. A genre that has affected society the most is Reality TV. Reality Television has changed television because it tells society about things like sex and violence. These have not been put on air in the past. But some situations they air are not exactly as real as it may look. For example, even though all the dangerous, extreme moves wrestlers use may look real, it is staged and scripted. Also many writers like to incorporate racial and sexist stereotypes in their shows. With all that put together, Reality TV sends the wrong message to its viewers. Reality Television has a negative impact on society because it is scripted, writers use too many stereotypes to define a character, and it sends the wrong message to its viewers.