What are the biggest flaws in the American educational system?

Question

What are the biggest flaws in the American educational system?

Answer 1

- The deliberate dumbing down of it  

Answer 2

America is too far behind in terms of curriculum. The education is not consistent and varies from state to state, county to county.

The American government should adapt its curriculum standards to the  British education system( the same system used in Canada and other countries). Its more universally accepted and is more effective.

Answer 3

Hiring teachers who only care for a paycheck.

Answer 4

The curriculum. Simple.

Edit: The last person to post (as of my latest reading) reminded me of something important: unequal standards across various schools. This is actually a HUGE problem in my opinion. If an 'A' at Stanford equals a 'C' at Harvard (just for example, based on nothing) then we've got an enormous problem. And it is impossible to make grading standards perfectly equal in schools across the country. Still I believe that the #1 problem is the curriculum, there are a handful of other pretty major problems that I could tick off nonetheless.

Answer 5

Formulation of new methods of teaching and the addition of competitive curriculum promoting higher learning and teaching standard without success support put in place congruently.

Political pressure thrust as such to make a State or school district appear to be in the know and appear to be promoting higher levels of educational accomplishments without extra support for teachers and students alike can break down the learning system and actually put students and teachers at risk of failing.  Politicians need to be more realistic instead of just going through the motions that make them appear as though they are fervently creating a functional and applicable curriculum that promotes acceleration toward  gradual refinement of educational curriculum.

I feel it would be of benefit to do greater in depth local hands on research to establish a broader spectrum view of "what is already in place" within a State's educational system for students and teachers.  Research to include "support resources" as well as" financial resource" that support the extras at present and will support the extras to be factored in as the new program is put in place as well as the unexpected extras of "the now" and "the when" that are and will be inevitable.

I have seen teaches so frustrated and students frustrated and bewildered during the process of change.  They oft times feel burdened by the politicians projected vision of educational excellence.  A vision that creates supreme reflection on the politician doing what is felt nationally to be done by them.  A vision blurred through astigmatisim--nearsighted farsited projection.

But what do I know?  I was just a proactive parent to three children and a "lunch lady" that supported the teachers as well as other students; and, am now a Grandmother of three Grandchildren with bright minds and excitement toward learning.    

Answer 6

There's a big difference in the schools in minority areas versus the ones in white areas (as far as resources), and even if they are funded by the same school district. Which basically means that some students are giving a head start in life thanks to the government.

*And then people have the nerve to complain about affirmative action.