THE REAL ISSUES AND PROBLEMS OF EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS IN AMERICA

Abstract

Educational quality and school attainment go hand in hand and affect individual earnings, income distribution, and economic growth. The quality of education is more important in economic progress and growth than the role and the quantity of schooling. Improving educational quality requires focusing on national priorities, institutions, and efficient educational spending (Hanushek & Woessmann, 2007). There is also a role to be played by leadership, but perhaps leadership at the national-directive level where the goals of a country are the factors shaping educational learning contents and standards.  This paper examines the state of education and schooling in America in relation to the existing crisis which has led to increasing calls for higher attainment, more accountability, and effective leadership, higher standards, and more time in school during an academic year. The authors explores the ideological basis of American education and school systems crisis from the perspective of national responsibility and concerns of educational performance with underlying economic factors such as progress and growth as determinants and shaping the debate about schools. Finally, a proposed change in educational philosophy and perspective using comparative examples is presented as offering some possible solutions for the education and schooling crisis as experienced in the American system.