Is Education a top priority in U.S.?

[crepesuzette]

My teacher just told me that education is not a top priority in our nation and I was really? Boy, no wonder we're not learning enough. We don't even have a sex ed class. I don't think that health counts. What's more, we don't have geography, and our history teacher recently admitted that americans don't know their geography and it's embarrassing. Do you guys have geography?

[Cygnus]

Its clearly not a top priority considering that about 55% of gringos do not know that the sun is a star and most think the US is some kind of Pangea and all other countries are irrelevant or non-existing.

[crepesuzette]

Its clearly not a top priority considering that about 55% of gringos do not know that the sun is a star and most think the US is some kind of Pangea and all other countries are irrelevant or non-existing.

I didn't know that the sun was a star either. However, that was due to the fact that I did not show much interest in science. Now I feel like there's a lot more for me to catch up. Plus, I went to a school that just viewed education as a joke. Some of us were working our behinds off, others just seemed they couldn't care less. I had to do a lot of reading myself, but because I didn't take notes, I can't remember a thing.

[Walter Powers]

I agree education isn't a top priority. Satisfying the demands of the thugs who lead the teacher's union, however, is. That is why our education system sucks, and why private schools that don't have unions educate better for less money. We should be putting students first, and we aren't.

[Jevon]

No education is not a top priority here in the u.s. here in texas they just make it so we pass the big state so we don't really learn anything important for the knowledge....but I knew the sun was a star I don't see how people could that clueless that is ridiculous...and my chemistry teacher this year who was raised in Greece told us how Americans don't take it serious and that in Greece education was a very serious thing so yah

[James Bond]

We have tons of classes here.

The US lacks so much in education, it's because the government doesn't spend so much on the education. They mostly spend on defence.

[STEALTHy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btzrreEGBTI

Watch this video and I share pretty much the same opinion as Henry Rollins.

[Professional Russian]

We have tons of classes here.

The US lacks so much in education, it's because the government doesn't spend so much on the education. They mostly spend on defence.

Defence is a lot more important than education. I'll tell you that much.

[James Bond]

Defence is a lot more important than education. I'll tell you that much.

I'm not gonna get into a debate. But education is very important, there should be a balance. It wouldn't be good for a nation to have a bunch of idiots as citizens, cause that will just cause more of a divide between the rich and poor.

[Bougainvillea]

Defence is a lot more important than education. I'll tell you that much.

This is honestly one of the most ridiculous fucking statements I've ever read of yours.

[Professional Russian]

I'm not gonna get into a debate. But education is very important, there should be a balance. It wouldn't be good for a nation to have a bunch of idiots as citizens, cause that will just cause more of a divide between the rich and poor.

When you have the worlds best trained military it tends to take up alot of money. thats why more than half of our budget goes to defence. does education need more funding? yes. where do we get it? cut programs such as food stamps and welfare and take the money from that and put it towards education or we just cut the governments pay. i like that idea too

This is honestly one of the most ridiculous fucking statements I've ever read of yours.

How? Defence is an extremely important part of being a country. if you do not have defence you will be invaded. If you have the most feared military like the U.S. does no ones going to even try to invade you. if they do they are extremely stupid. Defence is more important than education.

[Harry Smith]

One word- Defence

[Walter Powers]

We have tons of classes here.

The US lacks so much in education, it's because the government doesn't spend so much on the education. They mostly spend on defence.

Wrong. The US spends the fourth most in the world per pupil:

http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4f0b5867eab8ea4c24000033/spending-per-pupil-by-country.jpg.

And where did you get the data about defense spending compared to education spending? Sure, at the federal level we spend more on defense because that's the number one job of the federal government. But the states and local jurisdictions spend A LOT of money on education.

The solution isn't to throw money at it. The solution is to either get rid of the unions or at least not cave into the demands of them like any sane executive, or privatize the education system altogether. Something major needs to happen other then increase the already record funding we have for our schools.


This is honestly one of the most ridiculous fucking statements I've ever read of yours.

THIS is honestly one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read of yours.

[James Bond]

When you have the worlds best trained military it tends to take up alot of money. thats why more than half of our budget goes to defence. does education need more funding? yes. where do we get it? cut programs such as food stamps and welfare and take the money from that and put it towards education or we just cut the governments pay. i like that idea too



How? Defence is an extremely important part of being a country. if you do not have defence you will be invaded. If you have the most feared military like the U.S. does no ones going to even try to invade you. if they do they are extremely stupid. Defence is more important than education.
I agree that defence is very important and that the US should decrease funding in certain areas. But decreasing educational funding for defence is not a very good idea IMO.

Wrong. The US spends the fourth most in the world per pupil:

image (http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4f0b5867eab8ea4c24000033/spending-per-pupil-by-country.jpg).

And where did you get the data about defense spending compared to education spending? Sure, at the federal level we spend more on defense because that's the number one job of the federal government. But the states and local jurisdictions spend A LOT of money on education.

The solution isn't to throw money at it. The solution is to either get rid of the unions or at least not cave into the demands of them like any sane executive, or privatize the education system altogether. Something major needs to happen other then increase the already record funding we have for our schools.




THIS is honestly one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read of yours.

I agree. The money put toward education should be used a little more better, the problem I see, is that teachers demand constant pay raises at the cost of the students and other faculty (janitors, teachers aides, etc.). Instead of spending the money constantly pleasing the teachers, they should spend the money on new books and better quality teachers. I think it's a stupid idea that they have a national test, instead, they should look at the individual grades. Not all students do good on tests, and we should see how well the teachers are doing based off of their grades.

By the way. I'm not saying that teachers don't deserve a pay raise once in a while, cause they do. When teachers are paid good, they're work does good. But they shouldn't be getting paid over the top, like $65,000 a year. Perhaps, they should get paid that much with the more experience they have, but not when they've been teaching for 8 years or so. The average teacher should be paid $50,000-$56,000. Some states pay their teachers an upwards of $85,000 a year, which I believe is complete nonsense. If that teacher were to get paid $65,000 a year, they could hire a teachers assistant or something (they typically get paid $15,000-$20,000). Instead of two teachers per classroom (some states), there should be one teacher and a teachers assistant/aide. That way the stress is relieved on the teacher, while it gives one more job to the economy and society.


I believe overall defence spending should be cut at least a tiny bit, that way they can focusing on educating the US populous instead of having citizens who are stupider than most other countries in the world (no offence, just stating the facts (http://www.businessinsider.com/20-countries-that-have-smarter-children-than-america-2010-6?op=1)).


That's my opinion.

[Bougainvillea]

How? Defence is an extremely important part of being a country. if you do not have defence you will be invaded. If you have the most feared military like the U.S. does no ones going to even try to invade you. if they do they are extremely stupid. Defence is more important than education.

I know it's important, but to claim its more important than education is absurd.

Like I can't even. If you think defending this country is so important, then what about defending the foundation of this country through the youths of today BY EDUCATING THEM. Not only that, but educating them about who they're defending us from, and why.

Knowledge is power, and to shoot down education is just ridiculous.

[Professional Russian]

I know it's important, but to claim its more important than education is absurd.

Like I can't even. If you think defending this country is so important, then what about defending the foundation of this country through the youths of today BY EDUCATING THEM. Not only that, but educating them about who they're defending us from, and why.

Knowledge is power, and to shoot down education is just ridiculous.

I Didnt say shoot down education. I said don't cut the defence budget to fund education

[tovaris]

It should be...

[Bougainvillea]

I Didnt say shoot down education. I said don't cut the defence budget to fund education

Saying that defense is more important than education is shooting it down, considering how important education is.

[Professional Russian]

Saying that defense is more important than education is shooting it down, considering how important education is.

Defence is more important. I didn't say cut spending to it. I think we should increase spending to it but not by cutting defence.

[Walter Powers]

I agree that defence is very important and that the US should decrease funding in certain areas. But decreasing educational funding for defence is not a very good idea IMO.



I agree. The money put toward education should be used a little more better, the problem I see, is that teachers demand constant pay raises at the cost of the students and other faculty (janitors, teachers aides, etc.). Instead of spending the money constantly pleasing the teachers, they should spend the money on new books and better quality teachers. I think it's a stupid idea that they have a national test, instead, they should look at the individual grades. Not all students do good on tests, and we should see how well the teachers are doing based off of their grades.

By the way. I'm not saying that teachers don't deserve a pay raise once in a while, cause they do. When teachers are paid good, they're work does good. But they shouldn't be getting paid over the top, like $65,000 a year. Perhaps, they should get paid that much with the more experience they have, but not when they've been teaching for 8 years or so. The average teacher should be paid $50,000-$56,000. Some states pay their teachers an upwards of $85,000 a year, which I believe is complete nonsense. If that teacher were to get paid $65,000 a year, they could hire a teachers assistant or something (they typically get paid $15,000-$20,000). Instead of two teachers per classroom (some states), there should be one teacher and a teachers assistant/aide. That way the stress is relieved on the teacher, while it gives one more job to the economy and society.


I believe overall defence spending should be cut at least a tiny bit, that way they can focusing on educating the US populous instead of having citizens who are stupider than most other countries in the world (no offence, just stating the facts (http://www.businessinsider.com/20-countries-that-have-smarter-children-than-america-2010-6?op=1)).


That's my opinion.

Good points.

I agree with most of what you said here, but I also think part of the problem is in the WAY teachers are paid, in addition to the amount. Because of teacher's union's contracts, teachers are paid pretty much soley based off of "experience." This differs from nearly every private sector job that has ever existed, where your pay is also largely based off of your skill and effort.

The best teacher I had ever was under 30. She was my fourth and fifth grade teacher. That lady pretty much turned my academic life around. By contrast, the worst ones have been almost solely at least mid fifties. Do they really desearve to make six figures while the best teacher I've ever had is next in line to be laid off? I don't think so.


Saying that defense is more important than education is shooting it down, considering how important education is.

It doesn't matter how smart we are if we are dead before we reach adulthood.

[crepesuzette]

I'm not gonna get into a debate. But education is very important, there should be a balance. It wouldn't be good for a nation to have a bunch of idiots as citizens, cause that will just cause more of a divide between the rich and poor.

I'll say and then there'll be a lot of chaos and turmoil and we may end up just like those other countries. So tragic.:(

[Southside]

Cut down on defence spending and stop giving money to Israel and maybe we could get our country back to being top in education. Not just giving money and funding to Suburban,White schools but innercity schools aswell would help too..

[Walter Powers]

Cut down on defence spending and stop giving money to Israel and maybe we could get our country back to being top in education. Not just giving money and funding to Suburban,White schools but innercity schools aswell would help too..

Why? The inner city schools have proved ineffective. The inner city kids desearve better then that. That's why I think something major needs to change; I think that change is school privatization. Do you have any ideas other then throwing money at schools? We already spend the 4th most on education per pupil. Money obviously isn't the problem; it's the way the money is used, putting teachers ahead of students.

[Silicate Wielder]

My social studies teacher makes Geography a major part of his cirriculum.

We also have sex-ed but the reason why some schools don't have it is because the funds for Sex education are starting to become depleted. at-least that was what I was told.

and I'm going to a public school.

Maybe some parts of the country aren't seeing education as important as other parts are??

[WaffleSingSong]

Why? The inner city schools have proved ineffective. The inner city kids desearve better then that. That's why I think something major needs to change; I think that change is school privatization. Do you have any ideas other then throwing money at schools? We already spend the 4th most on education per pupil. Money obviously isn't the problem; it's the way the money is used, putting teachers ahead of students.

Privatization does not exactly mean that education will be better. Private schools rule out the poor and charter schools have been proven to do worse than public schools. Education is a right that should not be payed for by money, especially if the child who wants to learn can not help it.

Money is not the issue in the Education system in the U.S. It is how we teach them. We should be cramming there heads with reading, writing, basic arithmetic, concentration skills and current events. This is why when they get to go to more advanced classes that they want, they are flexible enough to take anything. We need to teach students how to learn, not what to learn. Oh yes, public universities need to be free as well. If a poor student wants to try to go to college, why should his wallet prevent him from getting up the ladder?

[Walter Powers]

Privatization does not exactly mean that education will be better. Private schools rule out the poor and charter schools have been proven to do worse than public schools. Education is a right that should not be payed for by money, especially if the child who wants to learn can not help it.

Money is not the issue in the Education system in the U.S. It is how we teach them. We should be cramming there heads with reading, writing, basic arithmetic, concentration skills and current events. This is why when they get to go to more advanced classes that they want, they are flexible enough to take anything. We need to teach students how to learn, not what to learn. Oh yes, public universities need to be free as well. If a poor student wants to try to go to college, why should his wallet prevent him from getting up the ladder?

Did you honestly think I meant taking away the right to an education? HELL NO!
What most people mean when they say we should privatize the school system, we mean that vouchers will be given out to families for each child in their household to cover all or part of school tuition. Everybody would still get an education. It will make things better because it allows for competition.

And I agree that money is not the problem, that's why I think we need to reform the system, not throw money at it.

[Capto]

I would imagine that it would be difficult to qualitatively deduce the priorities that the US has on education. Rather, it'd be easier and much more specific to view each individual state's priorities on education. Counties, even.

[Southside]

Why? The inner city schools have proved ineffective. The inner city kids desearve better then that. That's why I think something major needs to change; I think that change is school privatization. Do you have any ideas other then throwing money at schools? We already spend the 4th most on education per pupil. Money obviously isn't the problem; it's the way the money is used, putting teachers ahead of students.

So wanting to improve a school with no A/C, poor heating in a badly dilapidated building is throwing money at the problem? Money is the problem because it's not spread around evenly, in my many journeys to suburban schools during basketball season I've seen they have a better educational enviroment and just a huge facilities. Here in Chicago its 30-35 kids in one class, sometimes we barely have enough books and other learning materials to go around. We do not have equal education in America. In Chicago Public Schools, 95% of the other Illinois district classes are smaller than CPS schools. One might argue "Oh It's a urban area", though I don't think 35 kids in a class is necessary especially when they are planning to close about 50 schools(Most of them in majority Hispanic and Black neighborhoods).

I know you might see inner-city kids as possible potential drug dealers and thugs, but it's a couple like myself who want to do something with their life.

[Camazotz]

I'm not really going to go into the argument that is currently going on because I don't have any bright ideas on educational reform. I don't have enough knowledge on the topic to debate intelligently, so I'm only going to talk about the things I do know.

My teacher just told me that education is not a top priority in our nation and I was really? Boy, no wonder we're not learning enough. We don't even have a sex ed class.

It's probably your grade level. Most high-schools have sex-ed classes that are simply called "Grade 9,10,11,12 Health" that teach anatomy and sexual relations. It could also be your state's or school district's laws. I know some schools receive extra money by teaching abstinence as opposed to teaching about birth control.

What's more, we don't have geography, and our history teacher recently admitted that americans don't know their geography and it's embarrassing. Do you guys have geography?

No, we don't have a dedicated geography class; probably because it sounds redundant and boring. A whole class about pointing to countries on a map? 45 minutes a day, 180 days a year? No thanks. A requirement for graduating high-school is one year of a World History class covering Western Europe from Columbus to World War II, and two years of US History (from cavemen to to Civil War, and from Reconstruction to now). And then we have a Western Civilization class, covering from Ancient Mesopotamia, Sumer, Akkadia, Greece, Rome, etc. all the way to the Crusades. There's a US Government and Politics class, a World and National Affairs class, a Holocaust and Genocide Studies class, and a few more history classes.

The history of the world is MUCH more important than where it occurred.

Its clearly not a top priority considering that about 55% of gringos do not know that the sun is a star...

Yeah, but that includes school districts with poor teaching skills. Public education and testing varies a lot from some of the top education systems around the world.

...and most think the US is some kind of Pangea and all other countries are irrelevant or non-existing.

That's an opinion and stereotype. I think the United States has a great cultural sphere of influence in its knowledge and tolerance of other countries. Since it's such a mixed country, it's more accepting of other peoples, as opposed to some other major countries.

I didn't know that the sun was a star either. However, that was due to the fact that I did not show much interest in science. Now I feel like there's a lot more for me to catch up.

That's alarming, but you're not a general statistic. I knew that the sun was a star by the time I was six. I'm not an isolated case either, it just depends where you went to school and how good you are at school.

[Walter Powers]

So wanting to improve a school with no A/C, poor heating in a badly dilapidated building is throwing money at the problem? Money is the problem because it's not spread around evenly, in my many journeys to suburban schools during basketball season I've seen they have a better educational enviroment and just a huge facilities. Here in Chicago its 30-35 kids in one class, sometimes we barely have enough books and other learning materials to go around. We do not have equal education in America. In Chicago Public Schools, 95% of the other Illinois district classes are smaller than CPS schools. One might argue "Oh It's a urban area", though I don't think 35 kids in a class is necessary especially when they are planning to close about 50 schools(Most of them in majority Hispanic and Black neighborhoods).

I know you might see inner-city kids as possible potential drug dealers and thugs, but it's a couple like myself who want to do something with their life.

Have I not made it clear I only want what's best for America's schoolchildren?

The problem is that when money is given to school districts, they don't spend it on new A/Cs and buildings. They spend it on teacher pensions. And when they do spend it on school infastructure, they don't make a good effort to find a good deal. This is why reform is needed, and I think that reform is privatization.
'

[Camazotz]

Have I not made it clear I only want what's best for America's schoolchildren?

The problem is that when money is given to school districts, they don't spend it on new A/Cs and buildings. They spend it on teacher pensions. And when they do spend it on school infastructure, they don't make a good effort to find a good deal. This is why reform is needed, and I think that reform is privatization.
'

Air conditioners and new water fountains aren't as necessary as good teachers. I'd rather money go into either training teachers or creating a better curriculum to teach students efficiently, although I don't know if privatization is the best way to go to achieve that.

[Southside]

Air conditioners and new water fountains aren't as necessary as good teachers. I'd rather money go into either training teachers or creating a better curriculum to teach students efficiently, although I don't know if privatization is the best way to go to achieve that.

What's wrong with having a good learning enviorment?

[Camazotz]

What's wrong with having a good learning enviorment?

Nothing, but some of the smartest people who ever lived survived without air conditioning. As long as the learning environment is safe and comfortable and not detrimental to the education, I think money should be focused on the actual education rather than the amenities (although I'm guilty of focusing on the aesthetic appeal when I was looking at colleges).

[Southside]

Nothing, but some of the smartest people who ever lived survived without air conditioning. As long as the learning environment is safe and comfortable and not detrimental to the education, I think money should be focused on the actual education rather than the amenities (although I'm guilty of focusing on the aesthetic appeal when I was looking at colleges).

Heating and a well constructed building arent "amenities", yes I know people in 3rd world countries are dealing with worst conditions but come on...I do agree, we do need quality educators because some teachers are just there for the money. Just recently my school has received new books, before that we had books from the late 90's-early 2000's. I think we should start by building quality learning enviorments and putting quality materials in first, then get educators.

[Camazotz]

Heating and a well constructed building arent "amenities", yes I know people in 3rd world countries are dealing with worst conditions but come on...I do agree, we do need quality educators because some teachers are just there for the money. Just recently my school has received new books, before that we had books from the late 90's-early 2000's. I think we should start by building quality learning enviorments and putting quality materials in first, then get educators.

I put learning materials and educators together since those are the primary sources of information (so focus on them), as opposed to luxuries like air conditioning.

But I mean, that depends on where you live. Since we end school in June, the hottest it ever gets in the classroom is around 86 degrees, which is just bearable. Now if you're further South where it can get up in the 90's then I definitely agree with the need for A/C.

But in terms of style of the building, I don't think many suburban schools get as bad as mine. We still have the adjustable walls, the tiles from the '70s, etc. We've had some upgrades, but it honestly looks disgusting to me. But we manage, and we do well academically.

[Jasperf]

My teacher just told me that education is not a top priority in our nation and I was really? Boy, no wonder we're not learning enough. We don't even have a sex ed class. I don't think that health counts. What's more, we don't have geography, and our history teacher recently admitted that americans don't know their geography and it's embarrassing. Do you guys have geography?

Well I'm going to try to be as least racist as I can :o I live in New Zealand and whether it's just the Americans I've met or almost all of them, but you guys really don't know much about the other countries in the world, or atleast as much as a lot of other cultures, perhaps it's because of how large and diverse USA is that you guys really don't need to leave. But haha most of the people that I've talked to from US either don't know where New Zealand is or they think it's like a third world country haha!

[crepesuzette]

Well I'm going to try to be as least racist as I can :o I live in New Zealand and whether it's just the Americans I've met or almost all of them, but you guys really don't know much about the other countries in the world, or atleast as much as a lot of other cultures, perhaps it's because of how large and diverse USA is that you guys really don't need to leave. But haha most of the people that I've talked to from US either don't know where New Zealand is or they think it's like a third world country haha!

I hear you guys get to go on field trips every day and you don't start school until like you're at least 12 or 13, correct?

[Jasperf]

I hear you guys get to go on field trips every day and you don't start school until like you're at least 12 or 13, correct?

No way hahahahahahahaha we start at 4 :p

[Capto]

Well I'm going to try to be as least racist as I can :o I live in New Zealand and whether it's just the Americans I've met or almost all of them, but you guys really don't know much about the other countries in the world, or atleast as much as a lot of other cultures, perhaps it's because of how large and diverse USA is that you guys really don't need to leave. But haha most of the people that I've talked to from US either don't know where New Zealand is or they think it's like a third world country haha!

Kiwi-land is southwest of Australia, and is a highly developed nation. It consists of two islands that if you tilt your head look like a bird when combined. :P And I think the Maori language is present there. IIRC one of my Kiwi friends told me the Maori name for New Zealand. Something like Aotaroa or something weird like that. Sorry I don't know it. :P

Oh, and New Zealand is name after the Danish island of Sjaelland, or Zealand, IIRC. If not, then it's named after the Dutch province of Zeeland.

Do I get a cookie? :D

Oh yeah, capital city is Wellington, and no matter how many times I tell myself that the capital isn't Akarana, I can never seem to remember. :C

EDIT: Whoops, I meant Auckland. There's this alt-hist thing I'm involved in that the capital of Portuguese controlled New Zealand is Akarana. That could be my problem. :C

[crepesuzette]

No way hahahahahahahaha we start at 4 :p

start at 4 or 4th grade?

[Jasperf]

start at 4 or 4th grade?

Start at the age of 4 years old, prior to that we also have preschool, from the age of a few months old





Kiwi-land is southwest of Australia, and is a highly developed nation. It consists of two islands that if you tilt your head look like a bird when combined. :P And I think the Maori language is present there. IIRC one of my Kiwi friends told me the Maori name for New Zealand. Something like Aotaroa or something weird like that. Sorry I don't know it. :P

Oh, and New Zealand is name after the Danish island of Sjaelland, or Zealand, IIRC. If not, then it's named after the Dutch province of Zeeland.

Do I get a cookie? :D

Oh yeah, capital city is Wellington, and no matter how many times I tell myself that the capital isn't Akarana, I can never seem to remember. :C

EDIT: Whoops, I meant Auckland. There's this alt-hist thing I'm involved in that the capital of Portuguese controlled New Zealand is Akarana. That could be my problem. :C
Wow I am actually quite surprised by this answer! Yes you do get a cookie haha, and yes most people think Auckland is the capital as its by far the biggest and most developed city :p

[crepesuzette]

op request this thread be closed. Thanks, y'all.

[Jasperf]

op request this thread be closed. Thanks, y'all.

Were you actually being serious about nz? Hahah

[Emerald Dream]

Locked at OP request. :locked2: