Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Can Failing Schools Be Turned Around?

Student education has been a major focus of many throughout the years. A major issue that is currently been dealt with is the failure of our school systems. Students are not performing up to standards. States have been trying to solve this ongoing issue and attempting to decide which is the best solution to fix this problem. As a nation, we cannot let students fail. The students are the future. If we fail on education, we are not succeeding in our role as a society. We must all work together and put these children, our future, as our main focus.

Some argue that that most effective solution to fix the failure of some school districts is to work together as a cohesive unit and analyze the needs of the students. It is crucial that we work with these needs to promote a better learning atmosphere. The focus is primarily on the students. Emphasis on what the students need to learn, discipline, and teacher quality are being enforced. Supporters of the turnaround policy firmly believe that there needs to be a sufficient amount of time for teachers to collaborate with other teachers and faculty to determine what needs to be improved and what is the best way to do so. There needs to be time for teachers to interact with the students and focus on their specific needs.

Others have the viewpoint that failing schools cannot be turned around, and that such schools need to be shut down all together. They support the notion that once a school shows that the students are not at the performance levels that they should be, then the government will take over, the school will be shut down, and a charter school will be set up. The supporters of this solution believe that turnaround policies are not as effective as proposed. They think that a quick shutdown of the entire school and a buildup of a brand new school with new teachers and policies will solve this problem a lot faster and more effectively.

I believe that just because an entire school system is failing does not mean that the school cannot rebuild itself with time. Closing down the school will not solve the problem. If a school system is failing, it is going to require a lot of time and effort in order to fix multiple issues. There is no such thing as a quick fix. The most effective and logical solution to help better education for students in failing school districts is to focus on the students. We need to take the time to evaluate the needs of students and work together to form better lesson plans to fit students’ needs.


More money is spent of the education for those who are fortunate to have money while poverty stricken areas are paid less attention. This is one of the many reasons why many areas’ school districts are not serving these students properly. More funding needs to be provided. If the district itself cannot afford proper funding, then that national government should take charge and assist with the funds. This way, better lesson plans and school activities can be implemented in the classrooms. Teachers need to be better trained to follow through on disciplining the children. It is simply not fair how students are discriminated upon due to their lack of income. Every students needs to be treated equally. Education needs to be stressed on a national level so that all children get the same learning opportunies as every other child in America. These students are our future, so they all need a good education. 

2 comments:

  1. A well written piece, closing schools does not solve the problem with our education system, it simply " sweeps it under the rug." Cooperation between teachers, specific lesson plans, and timely feedback are key in the development of young students. Teachers should show great attention to detail on the individual learning of each of their students. Students in low income areas should not be forgotten and
    I agree that funding should be bumped up in these areas. However the educators must be strictly held accountable for the success of their students so we know that our tax dollars are not going to waste. If a teacher is just trying to get their students to perform at the bare minimum just so they can retain their job for a few more years until retirement they should be evaluated and replaced. We need teachers focused on the growth of our future leaders who enjoy their job and like to see their students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. All students need a good mentor to help guide them. All students should receive the same opportunity as others without a lack on quality and it is the job of higher level education officials to ensure this goal is met. Start in the conference room, or in the lounge, and have teachers work together to develop strategies that will help boost the growth and intellectual capacities of the students.

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  2. I found your opinion to be similar to mine, that yes, there is no such thing as a quick fix.. especially shutting down failing schools. However, your last paragraph to me was a little scrambled with your thoughts, you say that more money is spend on the education for those who are fortunate to have money while poverty stricken areas are paid less attention.. and then you say more funding needs to be provided. So are you saying that we need to give more money to the poverty stricken areas on top of what the wealthier areas are getting? Or are you saying that we should just provide more funding strictly to the poverty stricken areas and very little to no funding to the richer areas? And then you say students are discriminated due to their lack of income .. can you reference that from the paper? I just do not remember the paper saying that kids were discriminated based on lack of income. Maybe it is there, I just need the reference for it. Other than that, I still do agree that closing down fixing schools only for other better schools to take over will resolve much. Teachers need to work as team for sure.

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