Today's Education Requires the Student to be Proactive and Accountable for His / Her Success
Posted: Monday, May 23, 2011
by Jeff Brown
Inner Projection
One of the main causes, if not the main cause for dropouts (nearly 1/3 of all public school students) is economic. Most of the students polled as to why they dropped out stated that they found classes irrelevant, meaning that current heavy economic concerns are pushing kids to not only see the world in more realistic terms but to act accordingly. Another issue is minimum wage which inhibits small business from creating more part time jobs; therefore, to help mom and dad (or just mom or dad who because of divorce have to pay for two households) the kids drop out to get a full time job. But as we know, even getting a full time job today is not that easy.
However, more importantly is the fact that schools need to change significantly to modernize, for the current model is based in archaic 19th century philosophies. There is much that needs to be done, but slow-moving, self-motivated govt. bureaucracy is our last choice. What can be done NOW for you and your children's education: k-college.
Since most will change careers 3-5 times, even that beyond a college education must be considered. To be 21st-century ready, students must be trained via the private sector how to self-educate and think creatively, critically, intuitively in these vastly changing times. Today, sixteen years of education is not enough, especially when education reform will never address the critical 80% missing-- skills, knowledge, and attitudes--needed for career and life to enable achievement across the board: intellectual, emotional, financial, material, and spiritual.
Keep in mind that schools, like many colleges and universities, cater to what the govt. (state) wants in order to obtain funding. Often schools educate students to standardized tests that are based in economic concerns. As valid as that may be, such testing ignores the majority of students who don't fit the current STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) mold. In addition, this testing is that which schools push their students to do well in to look good in the eyes of the community and to obtain more funding.
Even colleges are running into problems where students aren't learning or not graduating--in the majority. Accrediting agencies that give colleges and universities quality reviews are problematic as well, for they are full of corruption, misuse, and mismanagement not working to realistic economic needs and concerns but rather in cahoots with their clients (colleges / universities) more in mutual back slapping than working to realistic economic needs and concerns. More and more reports are coming forth about students not learning and passing through hallowed halls with little practical knowledge, skills, and attitudes critical to success in these vastly changing, quickly moving, challenging economic times. Just ask your local employers what they've found problematic in recent grads.
Bottom line, schools are protected from necessary, innovative and critical change by govt. bureaucracy which ensures slow moving reform that may never obtain the required changes never mind changes that are needed now, not decades into the future. Schools, community and state colleges are often behind the eight ball because of the govt. cocoon they live in. If such slow moving, poor performing schools were public businesses, they would have been shut down a long time ago. Ideally, it is best to now put education--if not all, a majority of it--in the hands of the private sector. For the creative destruction of democracy's capitalism demands only that the best, most effective products and services survive. It has shown to be the best model, for even though businesses go under (even entire economic sectors) and jobs are lost, no other economy creates jobs and economic security over the long haul like that of the United States--the freest people acting freely in free markets. The United States still outperforms its closest economic threats like China and India by three / four to one. So why not use that system which is best fit to provide for our children what they need in today's world economy?
It is critical that we create innovative, creative, responsible students / citizens, those that are much more in-line with capitalism’s entrepreneurial mindset in a day 'n age where steady employment now entails not only several jobs but careers. No longer can one luxuriate in the one-job / one-company mentality. We need job-prenuers or those who are able to think innovatively / creatively and responsibly even if they don’t desire to start their own business (however, 1-5 American’s own a business today—part- or full time—out of economic necessity), for today's world economy demands it.
If you want to know more, contact me now before you or your children become part of the 70% who within 5-10 yrs after graduation are no longer working in a field related to their major and / or of the 60% or more of the current population who hate their jobs and end up part of the 90% who retire relying on govt. friends, and family financially.
Since most will change careers 3-5 times, even that beyond a college education must be considered. To be 21st-century ready, students must be trained via the private sector how to self-educate and think creatively, critically, intuitively in these vastly changing times. Today, sixteen years of education is not enough, especially when education reform will never address the critical 80% missing-- skills, knowledge, and attitudes--needed for career and life to enable achievement across the board: intellectual, emotional, financial, material, and spiritual.
Keep in mind that schools, like many colleges and universities, cater to what the govt. (state) wants in order to obtain funding. Often schools educate students to standardized tests that are based in economic concerns. As valid as that may be, such testing ignores the majority of students who don't fit the current STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) mold. In addition, this testing is that which schools push their students to do well in to look good in the eyes of the community and to obtain more funding.
Even colleges are running into problems where students aren't learning or not graduating--in the majority. Accrediting agencies that give colleges and universities quality reviews are problematic as well, for they are full of corruption, misuse, and mismanagement not working to realistic economic needs and concerns but rather in cahoots with their clients (colleges / universities) more in mutual back slapping than working to realistic economic needs and concerns. More and more reports are coming forth about students not learning and passing through hallowed halls with little practical knowledge, skills, and attitudes critical to success in these vastly changing, quickly moving, challenging economic times. Just ask your local employers what they've found problematic in recent grads.
Bottom line, schools are protected from necessary, innovative and critical change by govt. bureaucracy which ensures slow moving reform that may never obtain the required changes never mind changes that are needed now, not decades into the future. Schools, community and state colleges are often behind the eight ball because of the govt. cocoon they live in. If such slow moving, poor performing schools were public businesses, they would have been shut down a long time ago. Ideally, it is best to now put education--if not all, a majority of it--in the hands of the private sector. For the creative destruction of democracy's capitalism demands only that the best, most effective products and services survive. It has shown to be the best model, for even though businesses go under (even entire economic sectors) and jobs are lost, no other economy creates jobs and economic security over the long haul like that of the United States--the freest people acting freely in free markets. The United States still outperforms its closest economic threats like China and India by three / four to one. So why not use that system which is best fit to provide for our children what they need in today's world economy?
It is critical that we create innovative, creative, responsible students / citizens, those that are much more in-line with capitalism’s entrepreneurial mindset in a day 'n age where steady employment now entails not only several jobs but careers. No longer can one luxuriate in the one-job / one-company mentality. We need job-prenuers or those who are able to think innovatively / creatively and responsibly even if they don’t desire to start their own business (however, 1-5 American’s own a business today—part- or full time—out of economic necessity), for today's world economy demands it.
If you want to know more, contact me now before you or your children become part of the 70% who within 5-10 yrs after graduation are no longer working in a field related to their major and / or of the 60% or more of the current population who hate their jobs and end up part of the 90% who retire relying on govt. friends, and family financially.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Very helpful. Up to now, I did not know of your services. Too late for my kids, but I've got Grandkids coming up. Thanks for your article.Hi Chris,
Yes, I'm bringing my message to the world because as an nstructor for some 12 years (2 k-12 and 10 college / university), I've come to see the great waste and frustration of most who desire an education. Even if things improve for k-college there is still so, so, so much that is missing it's hardly laughable but cry-able. Schools are archaic, cumbersome and more about funding and image than they are about educating students not only in the three Rs but in the 80% of practical skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are critical for achievement and life-satisfaction across the board. We are providing vital knowledge that at this point is offered only in the private sector, and limited at that. I am hoping to bring this new- global world education to the nation as quickly as possible, for one can only look around to see the great lack in our "educated". Let me know if I can be of service. Peace!
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