Failures of the American Education System

In the 1800's schools were effective at supplying factories with a skilled labor workforce. Time has passed and the U.S economy has changed drastically, yet, educational standards remain the same; an emphasis on reading and math are still being placed in priority by the government. The NCLB (No The Child Left Behind) act prioritized math and reading, demanding an overall increase in proficiency. "The NCLB did not even question the way today's schools are organized and operated or whether they have not changed to keep up with the times" (Wolk 18). Children should be taught more diversely now, since the economy is more diverse; to teach on a basis of supplying a demand for industrial jobs, the demand is no longer there. Subjects like: science, history, literature, and even art and music should be held at the same level of importance as math and literacy. The government should allow teachers and professors the scope and freedom to teach, emphasizing all subjects equally; students being taught a range of curriculum will be better prepared for career opportunities in the ever-changing economy of America. .
             The NCLB policy regarded teachers and students alike, as failures; the policy pushed for students and teachers to set academic goals higher. The NCLB beget change, no doubt, but the change was not positive. Get tough policies and zero tolerance gave way to high-stakes testing, alienating students that needed the most help learning. Students that did not achieve quickly were placed on the back-burner; the policy was punishing students rather than helping them succeed. When the policy reached full-circle in the public school system the end result was an increase in student punishment and drop-outs. "250,000 more students were suspended out of school in 2006-2007 than there were just four years earlier, when NCLB was signed into law" (Wolk 20). The No Child Left Behind Act was enacted to set educational standards higher, for the good of children; but the outcome of the NCLB negated the possibility of positive school reform.