Education reforms Essay

The problems experienced in the K-12 level of education in U. S. A today are a serious threat to the health of the economy and the future prosperity of society in general. The quality of education is deteriorating though the government has increased funding by 44 percent. â€Å"A rising tide of mediocrity† as reported by the federal commission was the key factor that causes the K-12 education to deteriorate (Kurt 2003). There are no parental choice programs that give them the power to make decisions on how the school should be run. The children are assigned to schools that are nearer to their place of residence and this is based on zoning rules. Another problem is that public schools are performing below the standard and they are not held accountable for their performance. â€Å"The schools are lacking incentive to improve quality or take control of the costs for they are protected by the education act of the government. † (The Washington Post 2008 April 3) The private and religious schools are performing well as opposed to the public schools and this has a negative significance to the students who are enrolled in public schools. Due to the problems discussed above then the government must address the bureaucratic structure reform and especially the public education. For the discussed problems I would advocate for empowering of parents so that they will ensure that students are served better than the administration. They will also be allowed to transfer their children from the schools that are not performing and consequently this will compel the school to improve their quality. The government should ensure that public school are performing and more so come up with strategies that will enable them to perform. The reform will make the schools to be more resourceful with their finances and follow the curriculum accordingly. In his recent public speech, Senator McCain noted that â€Å"markets have losers and winners and United States of America cannot afford any losers in a game of educational roulette. † (The New York Times 2008 July 14). The choice of programs will allow parents to take their children to schools within or outside the districts depending on the performance. There should be also introduction of charter schools which are publicly funded but managed by private officers. â€Å"The bureaucratic systems that prevent funds from reaching the teaching fraternity should be abolished. † (William B. 2007) The two presidential candidates have realized that the deterioration of America’s educational system will be a major concern as for the voters. They have therefore come up with various proposals to reform K-12 education once they get into power. Senator Barrack Obama will establish national standards by ensuring that national tests are done on a voluntary basis. He also promises to empower parents to improve the educational quality and academic achievement. On the other hand, Senator McCain proposed that parents will be allowed to use the proceeds to reform K-12 education as well as pay for their children’s university fees. This is an idea that was rejected by President Clinton but McCain wants to reintroduce the bill. In The New York Times dated 14th July 2008, â€Å"there was an agreement by school officials that vouchers foster competition and thereby force public schools to improve. † Also in The Washington Post dated 3rd April 2008 it was noted that â€Å"new choices in education have sent a powerful message to schools and prompt some of them to acknowledge a threat of competition. † To summarize, it is clear that public schools are providing substandard education to the students. It is because of this reason that there is need to address the bureaucratic structure of schools that does not put the interests of the learners at heart. References Greenwood C. (2008 April 3) K-12 education reforms. The Washington Post. Kurt Finsterbusch (2003) Annual Editions: Social Problems. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education William George Bruce (2007)The American School Board Journal Michigan: National School Boards Association A Smith,(2008 July 14) Bureaucratic System of Education. The New York Times.