What breakthrough(s) must occur to fix the American economy and educational systems?

Question

What breakthrough(s) must occur to fix the American economy and educational systems?

Answer 1

These two issues cannot be answered here with simple and easy fixes. They are complex problems. I will say however, the economy and Democrats have never mixed well. Increasing taxes has never led to a prosperous nation.

Answer 2

I don't agree with 'Derail' and I believe he is trying to derail your mind.

The answer to your question is political as in what a free people do collectively to ratify this problem. Action translates' literally to your vote in the presidential elections. Derail is using propaganda period.

In I believe 1991 a treaty was ratified by 140 countries to save our planet.

The U.S., the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases did not sign on. This was under George H. Bush. And today under the 2nd. Bush, "how much does gas cost?" "What is our current administration saying about alternative fuels?" Pay attention because 'We The People' will have to rectify this problem. And we have to do this through intelligence, thought, remembrance of experiences, and our vote. Personally I'm leaning, no! I'm voting for Hillary Clinton. Because I remember Al Gore as the Vice President, I remember people having good jobs and being happy. I remember feeling secure, and I remember the country having a surplus not a deficit. But that's just me, I'm not trying to start a debate, I'm just "THINKING," and I hope you will too. After all, the world depends on it.

Answer 3

To me, we don't need to fix those systems; we need to improve them.

We are currently the most potent economic machine that the world has ever known, and we will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

And, check out those Nobel prize winners every year.  You'll find a plethora of Americans.  Our education system, especially our universities, are turning out top notch scientists and engineers.

We have created an environment in which learning and success are achievable by anyone who is willing to work hard and is willing to diligently apply and enrich his mental acuity, no matter his background or ethnic propensity.

But, we can improve.  In the education arena, we must continually test all students and implement the resources and technologies needed for all students to be able to achieve at an acceptable cognitive level.  And, we must pay the teachers based on their performance, rather than for how many years they are on the job.

Within the economic realm, we must embrace globalization as the conduit to a world-centric economic view.  The products emanating from globalization must adhere to strict quality controls and mandates in order to reduce defects and reward conformity to acceptable standards...

Answer 4

I don't feel qualified to discuss the economy, but as a teacher I feel I can speak on the issue of education.  I don't think that rewarding or punishing teachers based on their students' performance is necessarily a good thing.  Conceptually, it sounds good.  But in practicality, it punishes a teacher for the shortcomings of a student's previous teacher.  For example, I'm supposed to teach Algebra and this 8th grader doesn't know his multiplication tables ( this is far from an uncommon situation).  I can teach him his multiplication tables, sacrificing time that should be spent on teaching him Algebra.  As a result, when he tests on Algebra, he won't be able to pass. I get punished for the failures of previous teachers.  But the reality is, I wouldn't blame his previous teachers- the sad reality is, for many students, they come from families that simply don't value education.  So what's the solution?  I wish educational policy makers would come to the realization that not every student will go on to college.  Rather than force that belief throughout high school (which results in large number of dropouts) let's embrace it.  Rather than have these students drop out of high school with no education, and no skills, at least provide them with a vocation.  Whether it is in welding, cooking, metal fabrication, plumbing- at least give these students a chance at making a decent wage. Those kids who simply drop out of high school will get a minimum paying job (or no job at all), and become a burden to our various social systems.