For Zeek! Capstone Reflection Paper

THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN AMERICA 2

THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN AMERICA 2

The State of Education in America

Hayley Witham

EDU 300

California Baptist University

Introduction

The education system in the United States has undergone significant changes over the years with a critical focus on inclusion of major changes within the curriculum influenced by the changing learning needs and technology integration. This is having a major influence on the changes that are being implemented within the education system in America. Within the educational context, an important aspect to consider is the quality which outlines better considerations that can be included in a learning environment that promote positive development. The major changes that have been embedded within the United States education system have focused on improving the knowledge of students through the integration of teaching mechanisms that promote diversity and individuality. The context associated provides a detailed evaluation of the major changes in education within the United States. The United States education system has integrated technology and other important learning approaches which have sought to diversify the quality of the classroom. Diversity within the social environment has been essential in improving the quality of education. Co-curricular approaches have been integrated creating highly diversified quality education.

The state of education in the United States has integrated the input of all participants in education with a key focus on providing the most effective education that meets the needs of learners, especially in a highly complex professional environment. Education is a necessity and a symbol of a free mind, which help in defining essential elements that define a successful human development. Knowledge is not limited to the specific concepts that are taught in schools but also the interactive environment, which is based on the relationships that exist between individuals (Witte, 2004). Having a positive interactive environment outlines essential processes, which are critical in shaping an individual development both mentally and psychologically. Education offers a platform where individuals can understand crucial aspects in life as well as providing an essential background where it is possible to improve individual knowledge and abilities. It is very difficult to take education seriously without understanding the vital role it plays in defining lives.

Recent Education Background

The American education system has sought to integrate technology in the classroom to improve the learning needs among learners in a different environment. However, the influence of technology among students has created a significant impact on the wellbeing of learners who have integrated technology in their learning. As a result, they have eliminated the traditional learning concepts and curriculum. Exposure to modern technology has created a very intelligent range of students who have more clear comprehension of things and how they are done at a much earlier period in their lives versus before when technology was not present. This integration is increasing the level of creativity among students across the board.

Education encompasses a wide consideration within a given environment, and thus it is more than just “school education”. Education takes place in many ways, and thus it does not have to be within a school context necessarily. Technological changes in recent years have had a significant bearing on different sectors of the economy. The changes within technological consideration have brought significant innovation, which has been embraced significantly. There have been various changes within the education sector over the years, which have created a significant environment where learners have been influenced greatly by teachers, peers and their parents. Therefore, technology in within the education system has positively revolutionized education, which has created a better and enabling environment where it is easy to understand the overall influence on learners (Office of Education Access and Success, 2012). Therefore, the overall understanding of the key underlying aspect within the education environment has been significantly influenced by the technological changes in and outside of the classroom.

The typical educational learning environment has significantly shifted and has created an enabling environment where learners can be readily engaged in different environments and scenarios. Technology has significantly brought the aspect of virtual learning where the traditional classroom setup has been significantly transformed into a more enjoyable process where learners can interact and engage freely. The students are extensively engaged with their current focus on technology in the classroom and the curriculum. Most teachers have a comprehensive understanding of the need to effectively develop a positive undertaking where they can considerably engage and integrate technology into their learning process. Learners are therefore required to be open-minded to easily embrace the change, which is happening within the learning system to be better placed in ensuring that there is better development (Education Commission of the States, 2012).

Foundation of Education and Current Issues

The term “schooling” or getting an education is based significantly within a classroom context, something, which cannot specifically define the learning or the learning process at large. Technology has significantly diversified the schooling process, which has been significantly replaced by more interesting learning techniques where learners have been significantly embraced. Education is, therefore, being incorporated in many different ways, which has significantly revolutionized the whole learning system (Auck, Railey, & States, 2016). The overall understanding of the key underlying aspects within the society, therefore, has provided an impactful environment where it is much easier to understand and integrate a curriculum and a number of key elements which define the current changes within the learning process. It is important to understand the underlying fact that major changes within the learning process have been redefined with a common understanding on the assertion that the schooling process does not necessarily ensure that the students have a better understanding of key elements that are being taught within schools.

According to Haynes (1997), “the first amendment provides a very critical focus on important factors that need to be evaluated and attain the desired objectives. The first amendment outlines that, “American citizens have the freedom to their preferred religion, freedom of expression, assembly as well as the right to petition”. This amendment forbids the United States congress from promoting one religion as well as restricting individual's religious practices. This amendment also provides a critical focus on the freedom of expression through prohibiting Congress from adopting measures where religion can be restricted, including in public schools”.

The author stresses that teaching religion in learning institutions provides a better understanding of key elements which define positive wellbeing in students. Religion plays an important role in determining better aspects within the society where it is possible to understand different concepts that are critical in boosting the welfare of learners. Religion integrates better measures which define positive change within a social environment, such as a public school. Explaining key concepts that define difference is integral in implementing better ideas that define positive change. There is a need to ensure that learners adopt better social values which define their wellbeing in and outside of school. Religious integration help in creating a highly effective setting where it is possible to make a better determination regarding important concepts that define positive change (Hayes, 1997). Therefore, it is vital to integrate better ideas and programs which can help create a better level of engagement with students in the classroom.

Development of an individuals’ spirituality is based on a different focus on essential elements, which define vital principles that determine a personal involvement in religion itself. Therefore, the underlying beliefs that an individual hold provide a diverse understanding of individual decision-making. This is especially important when schools are determining what kind of role religion can or may not be able to play within the school day. The underlying interaction that an individual establishes with their religion plays an integral role in developing a higher consideration of religion as general. Religion serves as a link between individual belief and engagement which is why it is so important to protect the rights religion has in a public school setting.

Cross-curricular Learning Approach

Cross-curricular teaching is a concept, which is implemented in a learning institution based on strategic measures that are put in place within a given school. According to eduplace.com, it is defined as “the conscious effort to apply knowledge, principles and values to more than one discipline simultaneously”. However, the implementation of these diverse learning approaches has been hindered by lack of clarity and understanding within the school system. The integration of traditional school subjects has been unable to meet the changing knowledge needs among learners within modern society. The development of rigid subject-based curriculum has been unable to improve learners' diversity of subjects especially considering the knowledge gaps that are created within the community. The decisions that are made regarding curriculum implementation are based on the underlying objectives, which shape learner development as well as the ability of instructors to integrate quality measures that can ensure a higher level of success. For example, “In many school districts many students are English Language Learners whose first language is not English, therefore, they are learning English at the same time as the other subjects within that given curriculum” (Johnson 2018). The integration of a cross-curricular learning approach has been crucial in improving the learning needs that help in shaping the individual student development (States, 2012). If implemented correctly, the cross-curricular approach to learning could have an important impact on the future of education.

The adoption cross-curricular approach was in part due to the increased criticism of the narrowly constructed curriculum of secondary education since it focused on preparing learners for the modern society and the changes that have taken place within it. Schools provide students with the opportunity to adequately develop essential skills that help in ensuring that they can adopt significant changes with the society considering the changing times. Thus, being successful requires diverse skills, knowledge, and attitude, which are not always found in developing a learning curriculum. Therefore, the need to adopt a more varied approach, which would help learners adopt these critical survival traits, was considered a priority (Harms & Hastings, 2016). Schools, especially secondary schools, have an increased role in the lives of learners considering the occurrence at a compassionate place in individual development. The inability of a student to understand the fundamental concepts of learning which can help shape their development is detrimental to their future wellbeing.

The cross approach teachers use has been considered a significant platform based on diverse concepts including underlying learning outcomes, technological innovation, as well as valuable ideas, which define a successful development process among learners. Therefore, it is an essential approach to improving the needs of learners as well as ensuring that they conform to critical elements, which are vital in defining a successful individual development. Cross-curricular teaching has been crucial in shaping educational reforms in secondary schools (Education Commission of the States, 2012). However, the implementation of cross-curricular themes based on innovation does not necessarily mean educational change considering the diverse problems, which are detrimental to the successful implementation of cross-curricular in secondary schools. The benefits of this approach in secondary schools are quite evident considering the societal changes, which has significantly shifted from the traditional learning needs. Previously, these were rigid and were unable to successfully teach life skills, which are essential to the development of young learners. The implementation of a cross-curricular approach requires a critical understanding of the application of crucial factors within a multi-subject classroom, which in turn, will improve the overall individual growth of students. Those who are involved in a curriculum development may bring their own beliefs and ideas to the table, and are able to implement such strategies as this (Johnson 2018).

The implementation of this method of teaching is just like the emphasis on integration of a new curriculum in learning which requires sufficient support from all parties involved including the staff, students and parents. The identification of learning needs informs the decision to integrate essential measures, which focus on developing a well-engaged focus on the needs of students. The parties, in this case, include learners, teachers, parents and the education system as a whole, which outlines essential concepts that are integrated within the approach that is adopted (Harris, Harrison, & McFahn, 2013). Therefore, insufficient support with this approach to learning is detrimental to the execution of essential cross-curricular themes, which can help achieve different learning objectives as a whole. The willingness to implement a more diverse approach to educational development is key to shaping a greater focus on essential components that aid in defining a successful learning style and teaching approach.

Education systems within states, districts and schools themselves must be adequately developed in order to allow strategic focus on cross-curricular teaching and how it can be achieved through the integration of essential processes, which define a successful development in student learning and their outcomes. Improving learning outcomes must be assessed and evaluated based on a strategic approach that is outlined by the education system in place. Therefore, if the education system is not keen on implementing the cross-curricular approach in schools within a given region, it becomes very difficult to ensure that the process is successful at all.

There is a need to develop a more important approach which emphasis on more considerable influence on the learning outcomes based on the changing societal factors in and outside of the school environment. The education system must be aware of constant changes in a society. It would be easier to understand the need for change where it would be possible to achieve improved focus on delivery of strategic approaches, which help to develop highly diverse learning outcomes based on new teaching styles and methods. The ability to integrate important measures and teaching approaches, in this case, is essential in outlining strategic classroom procedures, which are crucial to changing the perception among learners regarding the concepts that are being incorporated within the learning environment.

A cross-curricular approach is defined by distinct learning concepts, which are critical in shaping the development of students across their diverse social and professional platform. A changing society means that there is a need for an individual to be intelligent and embrace different skills, which are essential in defining strategic measures. These are indeed difficult to accomplish in a rigid education system. Changes within education should focus on improving the learning outcomes among students and thus should be embraced fully by the United States education system.

The Current Environment of K-12 Education in the United States

K-12 education in the United States has significantly shifted based on the unwavering societal changes, which have a focus on diversity within students. The inclusion of technological concepts and ideas has been based on a strategic understanding of better decisions, which support a successful development where it would be easy to achieve a higher level of improvement. The ability to achieve improved institutional growth is based on an understanding of the underlying objectives, which promote positive social development within students.

An institution is an organization that influences social and cognitive development through the socializing and growth of individuals. The level of interaction within an institution between students, teachers, and parents is instrumental in defining positive interactions, which shape this individual development. Education is indeed an institution, which has significantly embraced diversity considering the different cultural concepts, which represent personal events and growth. Education is a planned network, which defines each individual’s expression. It allocates and confers success or failure to students based on social norms and rules which define successful guidelines that are eventually developed by individual students.

DiMaggio and Powell (2000) highlight that, educational organizations in the 21st century based on innovation have been developed based on strategic changes within the classroom, which have focused on including specific concepts within the learning environment. The coercive, mimetic and normative mechanism were integral in the institutionalization of the changes that have been developed which focus on successful engagement in education in the United States.

Decision-making under uncertainty results in very adverse traits, which influence a keen understanding of essential processes that define a successful organizational development. Better decision making provides a more substantial influence on critical social processes. Many uncertainties of state and federal financial support have been detrimental in strengthening the quality of K-12 education in the United States. The complexity of the organizational field presents a very diverse and challenging platform where it is easier to focus on a single development concept based on social processes (DiMaggio & Powell, 2000). This means that students are more in focus and the education system recognizes the needs of individuals as time goes on.

Coercive pressures have been evident within the education system considering the influential role that the government plays in developing an improved setting in classrooms at all levels. The ability to effectively use different operations is based on a strategic focus on important concepts that outline better decisions made by students and teachers, which influence education system development. Mimetic actions integrated into education have been based on successful education plans across different districts, which form a crucial background where the quality of K-12 education can be improved. Lack of a clear strategy in education has led to increased mimetic pressures (Railey & States, 2016). It is vital for the education system in America to constantly adapt and improve with changing K-12 students and curriculum and to ensure that the plan for the future of education is a trustworthy and beneficial one.

The Future of Education

The learning environment is exceptionally diverse, and thus it is important to be very specific when considering fundamental concepts that can help transform individual commitment within a given learning environment. It is important for teachers and parents to understand, appreciate and direct their focuses on the different elements of the classroom and the abilities of each learner as an individual. Vision building is a concept that is based on the ability of students to understand the changes that are being executed within the learning environment. Vision building focuses on essential concepts that define a successful implementation process of improved learning outcomes (Janes, 2014). It is a chance for students and teachers to gain a better understanding of the classroom environment and be better prepared for changes when they come. Vision building is a great process to use for future education and a great way for teachers to prepare students for important information and unexpected changes. Teachers who find their vision and philosophy of teaching will have better success with students. As stated by (Johnson 2018), “Learning includes all of these things: knowledge, thinking, and dispositions. However, as a teacher, you will need to determine what the proper mix is”. This means finding out what the proper “vision” is to be successful in the classroom.

Evolutionary planning focuses on the changing learning outcomes within schools, which are influenced by the changes in the society surrounding them. Focusing on the needs of learners created a profoundly transformed focus on critical concepts, which are essential in transforming the community through expanding outcomes in the classroom. As Johnson stated, “There are no absolutes and hence the teacher needs to help students learn to question what is and solve problems as they naturally occur”. Education is vital in promoting development and change within a given society. Therefore, evolutionary planning is critical for adopting fundamental changes, which shape a successful development process for students (Goldfarb & Morrison, 2014). Moving from the traditional education system to a more modern system is based on assessment and evaluation of the learners and whether they can integrate successful concepts, which can help them in transforming their development process individually and as a whole class.

The American education system has integrated a key focus on important elements that define positive change. It is said that “Knowledge is subject to revision, so it is more important to know how to construct, use, and test knowledge claims” (Johnson 2018). It is important for teachers to understand the importance of ever changing knowledge and for students to be able to have the ability to adapt to this. Meeting the needs of learners have created a very diverse environment where there is a need to integrate better strong organizational measures. The learning success of students is based on addressing the individual needs of them through integrating improved learning methods and defining a classroom culture that works for everyone. There is an integral focus on teamwork, the participation of the community and consensus in reaching positive development. The key values that drive the organizational culture include commitment, communication, and development (Stiggins & National Education Association of the United States., 1998). These concepts are vital when determining what the future of education is in the United States.

The needs of learners are more important to focus on when developing a successful and efficient learning environment. The development of culture is based on a review of the underlying functions and objectives, which need to be achieved. An important consideration that is deliberated is based on a successful engagement where it is easier to improve organization commitment. The decision that is considered by districts and the education system as a whole in developing a strategic organizational culture provides a greater emphasis on the underlying concepts which promote positive development.

Conclusion

The United States education system has undergone significant changes which have had both a positive and a negative impact on learners based on the approaches that have been integrated in an education setting. Education is significantly engaged where learners are expected to grasp key learning aspects and show what they have learned through projects and assessments. Technological changes have been significantly embraced which have created a better environment where the learning process can be significantly managed through the use of better methodology which young learners today can better associate with. This shows that technological changes, which have made a mark in education, have sought to strengthen the overall education system and ensure that learners can understand key learning concepts with much more ease. The integration of puppets and educational toys in the classroom plays a more advanced role in creating a better focus on how learners can understand key elements both within the classroom environment and how they engage with others outside the classroom environment. There is a need to ensure that learners develop a sense of how to interact with others within the social environment.

References

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