Question

Generally, schools in the United States are organized around four goals: Academic, Civic, Personal, and Vocational. The academic goals are the knowledge and curriculum that we expect students to learn in school (English, math, science, etc). With the civic goals we want our students to learn about the American system of government and to learn the skills and attitudes to become informed citizens (courses such as American government, social studies, political science). The personal goals help our students with issues such as development of personal talents (think music, drama, athletics, etc.), life skills (maintaining a bank account, economics, consumer information) and health (PE, health classes, biology). In the vocational goals, students learn skills and knowledge which will make them productive in the workplace; able to leave school and to participate in the job market.

Question: Based on this information, which goal or goals do you think are most important for our schools. Which goals should American schools concentrate on? Explain your answers.

Answer 1

American schools has four broad goals: Academic, Vocational, Societal and Civic, and Personal. Schools recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as offering healthier learning environments with clean air and water, nourishing and natural foods, nontoxic cleaners, and more outdoor activities.

Purpose of the US education system

Education's primary purpose has ranged from instructing youth in religious doctrine, to preparing them to live in a democracy, to assimilating immigrants into mainstream society, to preparing workers for the industrialized 20th century workplace.

The Real Goals of Education

The ultimate goal of teaching is to promote learning. For the most part, learning takes place in many different circumstances and contexts. Although everyone is capable of learning, a student's desire to learn is a vital to mastering new concepts, principles and skills

Above are the facts but according to

• be lifelong learners.
• be passionate.
• be ready to take risks.
• be able to problem-solve and think critically.
• be able to look at things differently.
• be able to work independently and with others.
• be creative.
• care and want to give back to their community.

Why US education system is best in the world

Because US education system is student centric. They focus on student's personal as well as social growth which ultimately leads to overall development. In US, educators give preference to vocational learning and follow practical approach.

Weakness of US education system

The Current Education System is Failing our Students. Equality is a term largely thrown around in political discourse. However, it is an ideal that is largely out of reach, particularly within the United States' education system.

Deficits in government funding for schools.

Funding is always an issue for schools and is, in fact, one of the biggest issues facing the American public education system today. For more than 90% of K-12 schools, funding comes from state and local governments, largely generated by sales and income taxes.

Ways to improve education in America:

• Invest in Training Teachers — and Their Bosses. The quality of a child's teacher is extremely important to success. ...
• Don't Focus on Punishing Bad Teachers. ...
• Modernize the Teacher's Job. ...
• Think in Terms of Tradeoffs, Not Absolutes. ...
• Let Kids Learn at Their Own Pace. ...
• Get Families Involved Early. ...
• Address the Issue of Poverty.

Goals for Children and Parents

• Interact and get along socially with peers.
• Develop strong, good self-concepts, which will hold well into elementary school years.
• Be happy with school ideas and new friends.
• Develop self-control.
• Become aware of other's feelings.
• Cope with stressful situations.
• Develop physical skills.

Above were the facts , according to me American education  system is doing a wonderful job by focusing on four areas rather than just focusing on academics. This is the factor which makes this system best. As the education's responsibility to develop a child for the life rather than just to mugging them the facts. Practical learningis very important for the children with the facts. this kind of education system definitely helps children to grow into responsible citizen.