I live in Australia and generally find our education system competent and well-managed by the government. While it has minor pitfalls, it remains serviceable overall. However, I’ve noticed through exposure to American content that the U.S. seems to have an extremely poor education system. This perception spans from early education, where children walk around in pajamas, to higher education, with universities seemingly portrayed as chaotic environments.
As a result, many Americans I interact with online seem less knowledgeable, struggling with basic conversation skills and often more focused on “winning” discussions to satisfy their egos. While this may be influenced by American culture, it raises questions about the overall quality of their education system.
I’d be interested in hearing other perspectives. Am I underestimating Americans, or have I simply encountered a particularly unrepresentative sample?
Hi, Funding for public schools in the US can vary significantly based on local property taxes and state allocations. This results in disparities where wealthier areas may have better-funded schools compared to poorer districts, leading to unequal educational opportunities.
Education will differ from state to state. For Americans, the world of internet interaction is somewhat different. Conversation starters will say things they would never say online.
In the US, education quality varies widely depending on location. Some areas have excellent education, comparable to the best in the world, while others have much poorer quality.
I think some of the things you mentioned are very important. Low pay for teachers is a big problem, and so is the lack of funding. Also, the culture in the US right now makes it hard for teachers to discipline students who are not performing well or are misbehaving.
When a teacher calls a parent to say their kid needs to stay after school because they are behind, the parent might say, “Are you going to drive him home?”
If a teacher calls a parent to say their kid is failing and not paying attention, the parent might say, “What are you doing wrong? Why does my kid say you’re a bad teacher?”
If a teacher calls a parent to say their kid is always asleep in class, the parent might say, “Are you saying I’m a bad parent? That I don’t give my kid a bed?”
This lack of respect for teachers has been built over decades through political propaganda, weakening incomes, and family structures. In other countries, even poor ones, teachers are highly respected. But in America, we don’t respect them enough.
Hi, Frank. The United States does not have an education system. The United States has 13,506 school districts, each of which is regulated separately. 50 states have distinct rules for how their school systems run.
The US education system faces numerous challenges including funding inequality, overemphasis on standardized testing, low teacher salaries, racial and socioeconomic disparities, outdated curricula, and excessive bureaucracy.
While some schools perform well, these issues create significant disparities, affecting overall educational quality and equity.
More visiting speakers. Bring them as frequently as feasible. Kids become weary of their teachers. Many teachers are not very good. But many interesting people have lived interesting lives and gained real-world experience. Invite them to speak at a school. Eva Kor, a well-known Auschwitz survivor and “Mengele twin,” lived in my hometown. She spoke at my high school once. Eva was more engaging than the typical history teacher.