The educational system in this country is mostly wrapped around a standard that everyone must take. Now normally you would think that this is equal education and is fair. Same learning techniques for every one would be the case except life isn’t fair and no two people are the same. People are similar, but not the same. When alternate teaching strategies are required is where equity education comes into play. The definition of equity is the quality of being fair and impartial. In school this means kids get education based upon their strengths and weaknesses instead of it being the same for every student.

“Teachers in Finland spend fewer hours at school each day and spend less time in classrooms than American teachers. Teachers use the extra time to build curriculums and assess their students. Children spend far more time playing outside, even in the depths of winter. Homework is minimal. Compulsory schooling does not begin until age 7.” - (EDUCATING AMERICANS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Why Are Finland's Schools Successful?, LynNell Hancock 2011)

The article by LynNell Hancock is a prime example of why schools in America should change. The article shows that more active interaction is a better teaching method than sitting at a desk and just listening to someone talk.

Playing to an individual student’s strengths is the purpose of elective classes. However the number of available elective classes have diminished. Such classes include Home Ec. and Shop.

“Many college students don't have a clear-cut career path set out when they start. Thus, elective classes allow a freshman or sophomore to gain perspectives in various academic arenas to see if a light bulb goes off. Program electives allow an older student to explore specific professions within an academic arena before graduation. A management student might test the waters in human resources, small business and retail management, to discover which professional path seems most appealing.” - (Are Elective Classes Beneficial? by Neil Kokemuller, Demand Media)

These electives are designed to teach students life skills of trade, health, finance and home maintenance. A student can also learn how to cook for themselves in this class reducing food costs and how to avoid food poisoning caused by cross contamination or under cooked food.

The teaching is just one thing to be changed. One of the biggest if not the biggest problems is that the teachers are underpaid and overworked. The problem may not be that schools aren’t being funded enough, but instead the funding is going to the wrong things. I think that more teachers should be hired to take off the workload for each teacher.

Making these changes can increase the chances of success during life, improve students education and play to their educational strengths. Because the way life turns out for a student mainly depends on what they do in highschool and college. With the current system we have students are not as proficient in school as they could be by not embracing their talents.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." - (Albert Einstein)

LINKS:

http://www.qrcodestickers.org/additional-articles/economics-in-schools.html

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/why-are-finlands-schools-successful-49859555/

http://hechingerreport.org/how-finland-broke-every-rule-and-created-a-top-school-system/

http://classroom.synonym.com/elective-classes-beneficial-2098.html