A high school diploma is no longer a passport to the comfortable middle-class life in America nowadays. Despite this being a common knowledge, there is still 59 percent of Americans who reach the age of 25 without obtaining a degree. They lack the credentials necessary to be competitive in the current job market. Furthermore, 25 percent of the population has not completed secondary education, a situation that has proven to negatively affect both their health and earning potential. The resulting load and loss of wages for this demographic also translates to a negative net impact to the economy. When compared with other industrialized nations, America is not doing enough to educate its youth and equip them with the skills needed in today’s labor market (Ferguson 1).
The situation in America’s educational institutions
What has happened to America? Its secondary education institutions have been deemed “drop- out factories.” This is a label for high schools that only have 60 percent of their students graduating on time. In 2010, there were 1,550 high schools across America considered as drop-out factories (Grad Nation 1). The picture at the university/college level is not very positive as well. According to the 2012 Education at a Glance Report released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), only 46 percent of those who entered college are able to complete their degree. This statistic ranks the US behind Japan which has an 89 percent degree completion rate. Even Poland and Slovakia are ahead of the US with rates of 61 percent and 63 percent respectively (HuffingtonPost.com).
Furthermore, for those entering college in America, there is a disparity between the socioeconomic groups in the country. This situation is painfully evident when statistics among the different industrialized nations are reviewed (Pathways to Prosperity). These statistics are confirmed on the ground with the situation of the students in college. To check the effects of disparity in colleges one has just to look at the graduation rate in community colleges. In these educational institutions, only 30 percent of those who entered college are able to graduate. Public universities have a higher retention rate of 54 percent. Of course, the elite universities have the highest graduation rate of 96 percent (Ferguson 3). These statistics indicate that the socio-economic capacities of those who enter school are a major factor in the students’ ability to attain a college/university degree.
Factors that enable students to become successful
For the success of this nation, it is imperative that socioeconomic factors are not made the main determining factors for the quality of education. “The forgotten half” must not remain forgotten. Higher education is a powerful instrument to enter the middle class status. Thus, education reform is needed to establish more efficient routes to the attainment of credentials and degrees. Training is another factor that is important in preparing students to become successful. Relevant trainings for career start-ups have to be offered in high schools. This is an effective strategy because high schools are free; therefore access to the trainings is available to all students. If the pathway to prosperity is education, and people seem to have trouble staying in the path, why not diversify the path? Studies show that 26 percent of individuals with technical certifications (equivalent of an AS or AA) earn more than those with Bachelors degree and are a crucial part of the middle class (Ferguson 4). Most of them are small business owners too. These examples show that college is not the end all for students. A person can earn much by learning and improving practical and vocational skills. America should learn from what Europe has done, that is, business establishments are integrated with schools to provide vocational training. This is a strategy that is valuable and accessible to more participants.
Improving the current educational system
Thus far, public education in America has failed to adapt mass ways of providing vocational training or apprenticeships. Attempts to provide vocational training have traditionally been used by schools as dumping ground for underperforming students and not seen as a feasible option to develop marketable skills. Thus, many creative types drop out of schools. Companies can also be involved with young people by providing internships.
Lastly, an education system that was built for the age of industrialism is no longer relevant to the present society. While Math and English are important learning areas, the soft skills, (e.g. critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and communication) need to taught/fostered within our education institutions. Education has to be moved out of the age of industrialism and brought to the 21st century. An effective education reform, therefore, is greatly needed. It should be a type of education that also depicts rapid modernization (Ted.com).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the current public education system in America is woefully inadequate. It is time for a radical education reform. Relevant career trainings need to begin in high schools, adopting some European style of thinking. Lastly, the type of skills that students will need in the future has to be given consideration in the present. It is through a better education that America can become stronger. A stronger America holds a brighter future for students and workers alike. Indeed, it is time to re-instate the middle class in America.
Works Cited
“Grad Nation.” ED Review (2012):1. Education Research Complete. Web. 26 Feb 2013.
Harvard Graduate School of Education. “Pathways to Prosperity Project: Meeting the Challenge for Preparing Young Americans for the 21st Century.” GSE.harvard.edu (2011):1-44. Web. 26 Feb 2013.
HuffingtonPost.com. Education At A Glance 2012: OECD Report Finds U.S. Lags Behind Other Countries In Higher Education Attainment Rate, 11 Sept 2012, Web. 26 Feb 2013.
“Ken Robinson says schools kill Creativity.”Ted.com. Web. 26 Feb 2013.
