Quality Education as the Great Equalizer in the Society
Quality education is essential for a person to become successful in whatever endeavor he or she chooses to divulge in. With proper education, appropriate knowledge, skills and attitude will be the result. However, sad to say, not everyone in this world gets the chance to have quality education. Some would even be deprived of primary education, most especially among third-world countries. Although poverty is a significant factor that affects the rate of literacy, it does not necessarily mean it is a hindrance in reaching the summit of success. As a matter of fact, some of the richest individuals in the society started from scratch and worked their way up in the ladder to achieve what they are rightfully enjoying as of the moment, the sweet feeling of success. Yes, they were unfortunate and poor to begin with, but their determination to learn and acquire knowledge through education made it a possibility for them to evolve from rags to riches. Let us be reminded of how competitive our society is. Individuals are trying to make a name in the society and become the best in their respective fields. It is about who is more knowledgeable and who is more competent and much more advance in terms of skills and creativity. Therefore, the more educated you are, the higher is your market value. Aside from these, quality education also has the power to change the society’s traditional way of thinking. Educated people are individuals who speak their mind and fight for what is right no matter how hard the circumstances may be, and they do not just settle for anything that is substandard.
In this connection, how can quality education change an ordinary human being? What does education promise in relation to the future of the society? Does the marginalized sector of our society have a chance in acquiring quality education? And most of all, how can we make education available in all sectors of the society immaterial to social class and political status? In today’s current situation, these questions consistently arise due to its implication in the society. This is the reason why it must be addressed to the proper authorities for them to make appropriate actions and provide necessary interventions.
An ordinary boy who lives in the suburbs may become the next Chief Executive Officer of a multinational corporation if given the chance to acquire quality education. You will never know what quality education will do for you. Its capability to transform a simple person into a well-known figure in the society is one of it. In short, quality education is a life-changer. Its significance is indeed undeniable. Yesterday, you were just a poor student wherein everyday was a struggle for survival. After graduating from school equipped with knowledge and skills, you are now an educated individual ready to face the competitive world in reaching your dreams and aspirations in life.
Individuals who possess a great amount of knowledge about a particular field of expertise, let us say politics, has a very high probability of successfully leading a group of people towards a brighter future since that individual is equipped with the intellect to lead. Education is the only thing that will never ever be robbed from you by another person. You may lose your house from fire. You may lose your wallet from a thief or perhaps losing your money from a robber. However, when it comes to education, the things that you have learned will forever be retained in your mind. It is your greatest weapon against poverty and your ally against ignorance.
Quality education is not solely for the ones who can afford it, that is, the marginalized sector of the society also has the right to be educated. Even if you are unfortunate and could not afford quality education, it does not mean you can’t go to school. As a dignified human being, you have the right of acquiring education. The role of the government now plays a big part for making it possible for underprivileged children to go to school. It must be taken into account that at least the primary education is for free for all children. The presence of scholarships will also help the children to be able to study in high school and most of all, to graduate from college and earn a bachelor’s degree. Education is an instrument against poverty. As long as you have your college diploma in your hands, it is certain that there will be much brighter tomorrow waiting ahead of you.
American Education System
One of the defining attributes of a strong nation is its people, and one attribute that define the people of the nation is education. It is interesting to see how education is done in a nation considered the strongest world power – the United States of America. Not only is America the strongest nation, the boast of its economy is considered as the world’s biggest, not to mention its domination over space technology and research.
The United States of America is a federal government. It is composed of fifty (50) states. These states are represented by a congressman in the federal state congress. Each state has historically valued local governance and enjoys autonomy on its territory. For this, No state-wide education system or curriculum exists in the United States. Each of the fifty states has its own governing Department of Education that sets guidelines for the schools of that state.
The Federal government does not fund these schools but the local governments of the individual states. In the United States compulsory education is mandatory.
American schools are divided into local school districts. School districts are in turn governed by a school board or committee of people appointed by the local government.
The school districts are further divided into elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Elementary school is composed of grades 1-5, Middle school is of grades 6-8 and high school of grades 9-12. The school year will begin in August and ends in June the next year.
Elementary school is a school for young students with ages ranging from 6 years to 11 years. This is where basic subjects are taught. There are about 3 to 4 million children in each grade of the elementary level in the United States. Each grade level is provided with curriculum guidelines and teaching materials suitable to the state’s standards and benchmarks for learning. These standards are in-turn tailored locally from the Federal approved benchmark for all states. Students at this level generally learn Mathematics, English, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Music, and Arts.
Middle school caters to students with ages ranging from 11 years to 14 years. Middle school or Junior high school is the intermediate between elementary and high school. Students are expected to take more responsibility for their education and allowed to choose their classes. This level is the start of the critical student life, as grades obtained starting in this level is a factor Colleges or Future employees want to look into.
High school offers grades 9-12 to students aging 14 to 17 years. Furthermore, known as Senior High School is the preparation level for students before entering a university. Students take abroad, variety of classes in any particular subject they want provided that required subjects and corresponding minimum years of study must be taken.
An alternative education system is also available for cases where normal schooling procedure may not be possible. Home school is basically students being taught at home. The teacher may be your parents or other parents and may have fewer students. This system as critics says very problematic.
College or University is the post secondary education level in the United States and commonly consists of four years of study. Graduation or completion in college will earn a student a Bachelor degree. Students apply to receive admission to College, with difficulties of entrance that varies from school to school. Admission criteria include rigor and grades earned in earlier educational levels prior to college, Class ranking, standard test scores. It may also give credits to extracurricular activities, interviews and sports. Once a student is admitted in college, the student must satisfy university requirements in a field of study or major he/she chooses.
After completing a college degree, the student may opt to proceed to an advance study or programs. Graduate study leads to amore advanced degree such as a master’s degree or doctorate degrees.
The United States ranks among the top nations in terms of educational attainment. Among adults at least 85% of Americans completed high school and 35% of Americans holding at least two-year degrees in 2007 surveys second only to Canada.
As a whole the population of the United States is becoming increasingly more educated.