We can use our money more wisely when it comes to education. I recommend the following to improve achievement in education at little if any additional cost :
Invest in teachers. Instead of investing in buildings our education would be more wisely spent on teacher salaries, books, and materials. This will give you more bang for the buck.
Use old books. Most books should be reused year after year only updated rarely. Major subjects such as Math, English etc. has not changed for the last 100 years so why waste our dollars for new books.
Learn basics. Although computers and supplicated math calculators are important it is very important that students learn the basic skills such as multiplication tables before they are allowed to even use computers. It should be required that before any student is admitted to high school he should know multiplication tables and phonics. Most students today do not even know multiplication tables and this prevents them in math skills such as algebraic manipulations and factoring. These skills are very important from Algebra through Calculus and Physics. Skills like these are needed in every day life because if the computer goes down and no calculator is available, where are they?
Require homework. Homework should be common. In today's school homework is the exception. We are now competing with jobs with China and India who require long hours of homework so that they may compete worldwide in the future.
Prioritize subjects. Educators and parents should prioritze subjects. What is more important basketball, soccer, mathematics, physics, or writing? How many people do you know makes a living playing basketball or soccer? Just about every well-paid job requires someone who knows a combination of subjects along with writing. Physical education should be secondary to solid subjects as the basic subjects writing, reading, and mathematics.
Pay teachers of specialized subjects more. Fewer and fewer schools teach physics and mathematics because there are not enough teachers available. They simply do not offer the subject. Instead we should be paying Physics teachers more in order to attract more teachers in that area. The approach we have now is to produce fewer Physicists, which does not help us in this competitive world.
Segregate boys from girls. Everything should be done to avoid distractions to education and this includes sex. Classrooms should be segregated. Boys should be in one classroom with a male teacher and girls should be in a classroom with a female teacher because you do not want boy/girl appeal to distract from education. However competition between boy and girls should be promoted. Educational contests between girls and boys would make learning more active and enjoyable.
Teach morals. Morality, not necessarily a particular religion, but what is wrong or right should be taught in the classroom. The golden rule should be taught and exercised.
Protect teachers. Programs should be initiated nation wide that protects our teachers. Without morality, in most schools if student is disciplined or they do not like their grade they accuse the teachers of misconduct. No accusations should be brought forth without lie detectors given to everyone involved. That is a must! Teachers have informed me that a good percentage of students in today’s schools are habitual liars. Also the state stealing from teacher pensions does not set a good example. This is theft and should not be allowed. It should be punished as a crime. I understand that Indiana has stolen approximately 7 billion from the teachers pension. In today’s society where the state steals their fund blind and teacher are not protected from blatant student lies, who would want to pursue a career in teaching.
Utilize technology. Use technology to promote education where possible. Instruction that is repeated such as fractions, exponents etc. be supplied on DVD. This well save the teachers time as well help the home schooled.
Promote home schooling. Home schooled should be promoted and regarded as a privileged for those who have the ability and resources to learn on their own. Home-schooled students should be tested at least biweekly and returned to regular classroom if they do not keep up with minimal requirements.
Abolish grades. Grades in most schools are watered down and mean little. Instead of grades, numbers should establish level of achievement for the student in each category. Achievement numbers not high enough means certain areas need to be repeated until the concept are learned.
Remember, the more money spent on education does not necessarily improve it. If we are to achieve better education that competes worldwide for jobs then we need to be smart about it.
