Compulsory Education Essay

There are many forms of research for compulsory education. When I started to dig for Information, I was quite amazed in how far back it actually goes. It may have been a little different then, but the concept behind it were and still are the same. With that, you will see multiple questions that need to be answered. What function does compulsory education serve in the United States, what are the advantages and disadvantages to compulsory education, and how can we make school better for today’s young learners? Compulsory education is the attendance required by all students. In reading, michaeladuffy’s research, I understand what he is trying to say in more clarity. How does it affect our children? He states, â€Å"As I continue to ask questions about why we have CE in the United States the answer most often I receive is that it increases literacy. † He brings us back by saying, â€Å"I am often told of the condition of the youth in the eighteenth century where children ran rampant in the streets and committed all sorts of crimes and vandalism. † Is it at this time we started to think about the youth’s education? During those times of hardship they still managed to keep a literacy rate of ninety percent. Through hard work and learning, at the same time, they managed to raise the rate to ninety-eight percent by 1852. By upping the literacy rate, in the United States, we see a great improvement in our children. â€Å"In fact the high literacy rate one hundred years before compulsory education was primarily due to the focus of Bible reading that spread throughout Europe and the new world. Perhaps it was a Biblical interest that accounted for black literacy in the south which was around eighty percent before CE came into effect† (Zhang 29). Michaeladuffy also points out that there are troubling times in our schools to the extent of dropouts and absenteeism. By reading his one paragraph on, â€Å"why children would miss class† (par 4) he lists five reasons they would. It ranges from being an obese child all the way to having poor eyes sight and not wanting to ask question for the fear of being teased. I can see why this is. Children these days will drop out if they are not treated correct. When kids are picked on their insecurity level falls at an all time low. The only option they have left is to not go to school and live with themselves. During my research the answer was never there. It is ones interpretation of the compulsory education and how it serves in the United States. In the early years of a child they continue to have more of independence for learning to develop each of their demands. Decades ago children opted not go to school, but instead work with their families and that is how they survived on such a low income. Compulsory education levels that bar for the unfortunate families who cannot afford it. With compulsory education more people have access to education, now whether they choose to use it is up to them. The one main disadvantage, I think every one might agree with me, is that the government dictates the age for the grade and what the kids are suppose to be doing. In other words they are forced into it. Are children ready for the grade they are in or going to be in? No, they’re probably not. Not one child is the same in learning. In order for our children to be ready for society interaction, activities are needed. How can we make school better for today’s young learners? Children’s intellectual growth, in their early years, are constantly growing. Learning new things everyday whether in school or in the social environment. They are more aware of the world they live in through the use of technology. Technology, for children these days, is one of the most important learning tools we have. The child’s learning ability is acquired through countless ways. Some examples may include, but not limited to are; questioning techniques, investigating and interaction with one another. Children are creative and have an eagerness to learn. Emphasizing on their curiosity, their creativeness shows by the use of technology. Providing them with opportunities to use their creative nature we can see a vast improvement in problem solving and thinking of solutions to problems based on their age. Having that teacher to student interaction will vastly help them in the social skills they need to better acquaint themselves with the world they will soon be leaving to. Not one child is alike. By finding what works, the child can receive the proper curriculum. Paul Goodman proposes two countermeasures in this situation. They are good ones at that, but with that said one particular really stuck out amongst the other. By abolishing grading and strictly going on the fact of the teachers knowledge and know how, I believe we can see a great improvement in students’ knowledge. It’s because of the grading criteria, we struggle in some subjects. If we drop the grading and base it on experience of life and work, there will be more students eager to learn and striving for that education. Just picture yourself taking a test, you studied day and night for it, but yet you still failed it. Now picture yourself taking the same test with life experience and work experience, it comes to you a little easier. Knowing that the grade you were going to get is not there lingering on your mind. Who do think is going to feel better about themselves after the test is done? Because of the grading system our fear of failing has kicked in. It shows that in life experience over a degree can be beneficial in some areas of expertise. With that being said, I do agree with the two year of maturing before entering school. You never know what experience you will receive in the world. In concluding my research of what functions does compulsory education have in the United States, we see that it is a tricky question. It does have a purpose but its purpose is still unclear to some, including me. We see the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of compulsory education. There are many things we can do to help our young ones to enjoy schooling. From the time of the eighteenth century, we have been striving to educate the younger children and make learning enjoyable. Hartman 5 References: * michaeladuffy. wordpress. com/2012/07/02 Date of access Aug 20 2012 * bestvolunteer. org †º More News †º Other News Date of access Aug 20 2012 * https://www. det. nsw. edu. au/†¦ /Our_young_learners Date of access Aug 20 2012 * http://voices. yahoo. com/our-fundamental-future-eliminating-compulsory-education-5570. html Date of access 22 Aug 2012 8:47pm * Does School Time Matter? –On the Impact of Compulsory Education Age on School Dropout Cabus, Sofie J. ; De Witte, Kristof Economics of Education Review, v30 n6 p1384-1398 Dec 2011. 15 pp. ISSN: 0272-7757 Date of access 22 Aug 2012.