the system

The System
I am a product of the system. Look around the room. Every student in this class is a product of the system. There is no reason that anyone should believe that compulsory education does anything but empower the future of this great country!
It is my strong belief that a portion of the youth in this country do not take advantage of the opportunities that are given to them. Unlike many inner-city schools, the students in “Stand and Deliver” were given the opportunity to take Advanced Placement Calculus. These students went above and beyond what a majority of kids would do, to not only pass but to succeed (Stand and Deliver). This proves that given the opportunity, the chance of having someone believe in them is a simple task to future success for our country.
I come from a small town and a large family where education was forced to be my number one priority no matter how hard I fought it. Our school district offered many programs such as Advanced Placement classes, Gear Up program, and dual credit classes. The Advanced Placement classes allowed you to take more strenuous courses and at the end of the year students could test out of it to earn college credit. The Gear Up program was created to encourage students to pursue higher education after high school, whether it be college or a technical school. Our local community college offered dual credit courses which we received local high school credits as well as college hours. These programs were developed to help students succeed in their educational careers so that they would go on and become stronger members of the community and society when they got older.
My peers from other schools also participated in the programs mentioned above as well as a few programs that were new to me. Their schools held College Nights, where representatives from various colleges and universities throughout the state came and talked to the students about what their schools had to offer and to promote the desire for the high school students to attend college. The districts also allowed juniors and seniors a “college day” where the students can go visit their college of choice before making their final decision. Some schools even take groups to colleges to explore their options.
Some schools also implement incentives for the students that succeed in their classes. This encourages the students to do well and gives them something to look forward to after they complete all of the hard work. Communities also participate in the success of students. In “Idiot Nation,” Michael Moore talks about a restaurant that gives the children that met their reading goals a free personal pan pizza (“Idiot Nation,” 144). This teaches children at a young age how to set goals and to stick to them for their own good. Not only are the school districts promoting education but many businesses take part in the effort!
I agree with the video, titled “Teachers” we watched in class. Teachers do not do the work they do for the money. They spend endless hours trying to influence our youth and to “build a better tomorrow.” They never ask for the honors some CEO of a company may receive or the praises of an award winning actor. This is an excerpt from a poem about teachers:
“I wanted you to know, That I'm grateful for your hard work in helping me to grow. For your constant understanding and for always being there, To tell me I can do it and to show me that you care!” (DTLK Growing Together).
Teachers know that at the end of the day they are appreciated and that’s worth all the money in the world to them.
It isn’t only the effort of the school district, the community, and teachers but also the support of the child’s parents. The combination of these three key factors is a perfect equation for a successful education for students across the nation and across the world. Hillary Clinton once said, “it takes a village to raise a child,” and in this instance that is the truth.
Compulsory education puts everything they possibly can into educating our youth. When given the educational opportunities students must take them and strive to succeed. Schools must provide proper programs to influence children to higher their education after high school. The community should also take Moore’s advice to participate in the local children’s education. Teachers should keep doing what they are doing because with out them we would not be able to be in this classroom today. And last but not least, parents should support their children in everything that they choose to do in life while stressing the importance of education.

Work Cited

“DTLK Growing Together.” DTLK’s Site. 2007. 13 September 2007.
http://www.dltk-kids.com/school/poems_for_teachers.htm

Moore, Micheal. “Idiot Nation.” Rereading America. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007. 132-150.

Stand and Deliver. Dir. Ramon Mendez. American Playhouse, 1988.