PAD 500
July 18, 2019
Policy issue
For the success of the America in 21st century, provision of quality education is very important. The issue of discussion in this case is education system for the students in United States. The system requires that students are provided with free education until they reach 12th grade and then for their post-secondary they have to pay for it. Students have to pay for the tuition fees and accommodation fees in public school. Those unable to pay will have unequal access of education. In the education system of United States, equality is an issue which needs to be addressed very well (Reay, 2018). The access of education and materials that are used for learning has shown a high degree of inequality. The system also allows unequal distribution of the resources that are used for academic purpose. Example, there are some of the students who do not have access of internet when they go home and this becomes a challenge for them to do research. There is also biasness in the education system of United States especially on the decision of direct funds, location of schools and materials that are used in teaching students. The gap in funding is seen where students who need most of the monetary funding for their education are receiving the least amount.
Type of policy
Education policy has a great impact on the system of education that is utilized in a country. The disparity of the education that is demonstrated in United States is a reflection of the policy in the government. The policy allows parent to take children to schools which they think that they are best for their children (Hühne & Herzer, 2017). Children who come from a well- up background will be taken to good schools which have adequate access of reading and learning materials. On the other hand, children from poor background are taken to local schools where the academic resources are not adequate and this can contribute to their failure. The quality of education, achievements made by the students is determined by the background of the students.
Policy modification
Positive impact
Policy on affordable housing for students is very important for the students. For students who come from low-income families, affordable housing could assist in raising their education achievement. One of the challenges which is faced by students coming from poor background is lack of accommodation. When the policy is modified to include students being assisted to get affordable housing, it will make their time easy while in school. Education policy also need modification so that it can include strategies which students who come from impoverished background will be able to secure a good housing that will promote smooth learning of the students. The government integrating affordability of the housing in the education system ensures students do not struggle while looking for their accommodation. Students will be required to book their house. After booking, they will be required to pay for the accommodation at reduced cost.
Another modification is on equality in access of education. Government need to ensure that all schools have been upgraded and they are provided with the right learning materials. Some of the students do not have money to purchase books and other resources. Government should modify policy and make sure that the materials are accessible in the schools. Equal education is provided, proper training of the teachers and equalizing resources which are shared. Teachers should be properly trained those who teaching in local and national school. Government also needs to give special attention to the disadvantage people and students who learn in those schools. More resources should be allocated to those areas as well as coming up with program which promote mentorship of the students.
Negative impacts
United States has tried much on equal learning opportunity for all students but it has remained a challenge. When there is inequality in learning institutions, underprivileged students have a high chance of having lower achievements. Examples students who come from poor background have a problem of instructional contents. It is hard for them to perform well in mathematics and science subjects. The main reason is related to inadequate learning resources. Parents believe that their children have equal access of education and they should not make any other efforts for them to be success. Since parents believe in equal education access and there are policies governing it, they will try to provide other basic needs to their children. However, the equality they are thinking about is just inequality and their children do not have quality education access (Downey & Condron, 2016). Another modification is payment of the post-secondary college education. It has been a challenge for most of the students to pay for their tuition fees because it is very expensive. Some of the students are struggling very much to pay for the post-secondary education more so those who come from low-income earning families. Education in U.S is very expensive and some of the students have to work part time so that they can pay for their fees. This has negative impact on the quality of academic results since students are spending most of their tie working. Policy on fee increment in post-secondary education has had a huge impact for the students coming from low-income earning community.
Three methods of Congress addressing inequality in education system
It promotes equal access of education for all students. The Act of “No Child Left Behind” was passed by the Congress with the aim of ensuring that every student in public school has the ability to achieve their goals. The students are to be educated in classrooms that are safe and by teachers who are well prepared. The law in promising to hire teachers who are highly-qualified is a way of promoting education and ensuring that every child got the opportunity to exploit his or her talent. The Congress also set goals and standards which should be achieved by the students and the teachers (Florian, 2015). For effective education system, goals and objectives are very important because at the end of every lesson students should have achieved some objectives. The effectiveness of the administrators and the teachers is tasted by the Congress through setting of standards. The schools are required to set their mission and make sure they work toward achieving it. The government also makes sure that there is transparency and trustfulness in the education policies that are set. The purpose is to improve education quality and put in place proper strategies that promote good learning progress for the students. The strategies ensure that administrators of the school are trust by both the students and parents. In addition, it safeguards funds and monitors agencies which have been appointed to make sure they carry their duties as expected.
References
Downey, D. B., & Condron, D. J. (2016). Fifty years since the Coleman Report: Rethinking the relationship between schools and inequality. Sociology of Education, 89(3), 207-220.
Florian, L. (2015). Inclusive Pedagogy: A transformative approach to individual differences but can it help reduce educational inequalities. Scottish Educational Review, 47(1), 5-14.
Hühne, P., & Herzer, D. (2017). Is inequality an inevitable by-product of skill-biased technical change? Applied Economics Letters, 24(18), 1346-1350.
Reay, D. (2018). Miseducation: Inequality, education and the working classes. International Studies in Sociology of Education, 27(4), 453-456.
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