School

School. I have advocated for many years a change. Unfortunately Im 15, and even if i could get them argued by someone older, they still would take many years to change. But the need is urgent. This might be an old test, but it has been getting worse and worse with each year. The competition is fierce, and when if you only tie their scores they will seek out those workers as they will work for a lower price you need to encourage better.

The first thing I propose is a more equal teacher salary. I argue the investment in current teachers is leading to a wide difference between the best and worst, and in my society everyone will do better, thus leading to more entrepreneurial ability and more money/jobs in the long run. It is our mistake to not do this while other countries are.

Therefore: I want merit pay. This will mean a good first year teacher can make money and doesnt live their first three years paying off debt as studies have shown. It might weed out some teachers who could have improved later, but unfortunately that is the cost. Someone teaching for 20 years with an outdated teaching mentality, or a new teacher of 2 or 3 years who is top of the line. I agree the 20 year teacher will have experience, and if they show that, they should get more. One of the merit pay methods proposed should be used, I concede I do not have the experience or the time to read each plan offered.

Also we must change the curriculum. In math they have you memorize 50 formulas for the test. I personally have never memorized a single formula, maybe from excessive use. I learn them. Learning them is what needs to be done - anyone can go on google and just look up. But why even do that? If i go to my job and i need to know the area of a circle, google will tell me. Focusing on the methodology is key. Arriving at problems fastest, thinking in terms of logic more then just physical problems so it helps everyone in their future jobs, not just math majors.

Social Studies: Honestly, this class is ok in my school as the ones ive taken. If its a memorization class, only have it as an elective. Essays, Analysis, all those things can help us in the future, memorization of dates? Very little.

Foreign Language: I really do not like this class. I actually advocate something I am against. I advocate learning it like we learn english. For like chicago, there could be a facility where we can immerse ourselves in only spanish for a week after a few years taking. Learning spanish in a spanish environment is best, and it would be the same for all others. Also, our school focuses very little on culture, and honestly, those are the things that will be needed in future society.

Science: I like the way my chemistry teacher is teaching it and like chemistry. However i feel the classes taken as the "recommended" classes are ones very very few kids will major in and most people wont care about. Science can be a required 2 years of any order of classes with a wide variety offered.

English: This should focus on what you need in jobs. I understand the need to read books and stuff, but active read? Do as you want. Honestly... if you dont want to, its not purposeful. Also cut down on them as they wont help us in our jobs. In a world of sparknotes, etc. we dont need as much. Focus more on essays, learn about resumes, things that will always be needed, or at least for a while. Proposals, projects, ones that cross the borders of categories for jobs.

There are many more areas to be fixed, including AP tests, college application, etc. and i will likely cover in a future post.