How Do I Pay For It? Patient Education and Counseling

What I am about to tell you is sad, but I have found it to be true. I am sure it won't come as a surprise to many of you. The health care system is in the business to make a profit. Their goal is to make as much money for their shareholders as possible.

They are not in it to cure anything. In fact it is not in the corporation's best interest to cure anything. It is much better for them to find ongoing treatments for an illness because this way they can make more money off the disease. This is what they call unchecked capitalism.

The question then becomes "What is the best way to survive as a patient in this environment?" The key is to understand the system and how to work your way around it. Doing this allows you to discover how you can pay for your drugs, doctors visits and tests that you need.

I have been involved with chronic illness for most of my life starting at the age of 3 all the way to my current age of 49. I come from a family of 8 and we have experienced several chronic illnesses including type 1 diabetes and all of its complications, heart disease, different forms of cancer, kidney disease, mental illness, appendicitis, liver disease, circulatory disease and arthritis just to name a few. While dealing with all of these ailments we learned a lot about how to pay for all the treatments and drugs that were needed while not always having the money or insurance to pay for them. It is the purpose of this article to share what I have learned with you the reader so you can benefit from my experience.

The following is a list of things you can do to help pay for expensive treatments and medications you need but may not be able to afford.

1. Prescription drugs- First if you are prescribed a drug that is not in your insurance formulator you need to ask your doctor if there are any other options you can take. Options such as using generic, drugs that are already on the market and do the same thing and your insurance will pay for them.


2. Explain to your doctor's office your situation and ask if they are aware of any solutions.


3. Look into your local government and see if they have any programs available for people in your situation.


4. Last but not least contact the drug company who manufacture the medicine and explain your situation. The company may have a temporary program to help people who need but can't afford their medication. Usually these programs will get you the medicine at a discounter rate and sometimes for free. You will have to fill out applications and prove you're financially eligible.


5. Tests and procedures- If you are scheduled for a test or procedure and can't afford it talk to the business office about your problem. Many places have a discounted rate for uninsured or underinsured patients and they may cut the price by 30-50%. You can also ask the office if they would be willing to accept the medicare rate or an insurance company's negotiated rate.


6. You must have a "How can I?" attitude. Don't take no for an answer and don't be embarrassed about asking. In this day and age this is a common occurrence.


7. You can also check and see if there are any free clinics and or low income clinics in your area. Most cities have them and they will treat you and ask you to pay whatever you can afford.


8. Another option is to talk to your Priest, Rabi or minister and let them know you are on hard times. They will usually have some help they can provide or they may know of something you haven't thought about.


9. Worst comes to worse go to the emergency room and get your tests done or meds filled. They are supposed to be obligated to help and can't turn you down.


10. The very last thing you can try is to go to the local media and see if they have a human interest reporter. Sick person being refused treatment in the richest country in the world makes a great story and most hospitals and doctors don't want that kind of negative publicity

Teaching Education and IQ Tests Considered

It has been statistically proven and there is ample empirical evidence to suggest that students who score the highest on IQ tests tend to do the best in school and achieve higher success in educational learning institutions. That's been proven, and it's no longer debatable. Nevertheless, there are lots of other factors to consider when putting our trust into IQ tests.

A short time ago, an acquaintance from India stated it this way; "The same student who excels in one system while doesn't in another?" Yes, this is sometimes the case, most often actually, and thus, I asked what his thoughts were on Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theories? You see, there is some debate about Howard Garner's "Theory of Multiple Intelligences" but my acquaintance seems to side with the theory and believes it should be developed further, as do I.

Now then, I have read 4 or 5 of Howard Gardner's books on intelligence now, and have a good number of them sitting in front of me here on my bookshelf. You see, inherently what Howard Gardner is saying makes perfect sense. And if you practice a certain sport you start developing muscles for that sport. When I was a runner, I once went on a long 2,000 mile bike ride, and within a week, I started developing muscles I never had before. If you start using your brain for something else, your mind adapts and develops those regions of the brain you use for such skills.

Okay so, my acquaintance (19-years old, but extremely bright) asks the following

Who is considered to be an intelligent person?
Is it a person who scores high on an IQ test?
Is that all? I don't think so.

Indeed, see what I mean, these are important questions to ask, and my comment would be to the last questions/statement; Me either, in fact as the coordinator for the think tank, I merely base everyone's intelligence against my own, it's a good high-bar, baseline. My acquaintance went online and took a number of IQ tests, he scored reasonably high right out of the gate, as in "extremely high" compared to the 100 IQ average.

After taking these tests and thinking about the questions he said that some of the questions might show a strong set of skills for leadership, entrepreneurship, artistic ability, or academia, and that it makes sense to consider more of the data from the tests to determine, who'd be the best for what, and thus, help those folks into those types of endeavors, just as IQ tests are used to place academic students.

Indeed, yes, I completely agree with your line of reasoning. In fact, I wrote a short essay once on the Flow of Thought which essentially speaks about the same thing, not necessarily with IQ tests, but in general. When it comes to IQ tests both my acquaintance and myself have our doubts and perhaps you do as well?

You see, I am very skeptical of IQ tests, even though I like the results when I take them, they make me feel good, and I suppose it's an ego thing for me personally. But, I am still skeptical. Teachers and Educators ought to also be skeptical. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic.

Why Education and Training in the Business World Just Does Not Get It

It happened again. Today I received information on two separate learning events promising me significant cognitive growth. Upon closer, inspection these two announcements reinforced the reason why business education just doesn't get it. Please let me explain.

You probably know without thinking what 10 x 10 equals. However, if I asked you what 25 x 24 equals your response would not be nearly as quick. The simple reason is that you practice 10 x10 numerous times through the strategy of rote memorization. Today we call rote memorization spaced repetition.

However, you may have only answered 25 x 24 once to two times during your entire lifetime. You did not have numerous opportunities to commit the answer of this multiplication problem to memory.

Yet, there are companies that cater to the professional training and development industry as well as the K-12 education industry that promise to change behaviors. The only problem is that this change is very short lived.

Remember back during your school days and cramming for a final examination. You poured over the books the night before hoping to retain all that critical information. By the time of the test, you remembered only 50% especially if this was your first exposure to the material. You had a 50% chance of getting a true or false question right. Actually, the cramming was far better for multiple choice and fill in the blank responses.

Research tells us that 16 days after a one time exposure to a learning event you remember only 2%. Unless you, the learner have multiple exposures to the information and multiple opportunities to practice what you have learned, you will simply not retain it. Yet, businesses and organizations continue to purchase and deliver learning curriculum that cannot, let me repeat, cannot deliver sustainable performance improvement.

To truly change the behaviors of individuals require far more than read it, learn, test it and forget it. We must restructure learning from a perspective of performance that being the application of knowledge instead of the current perspective of learning that being the acquisition of knowledge.

The American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) through its ongoing research continues to reveal that most training does not deliver a positive return on investment. Yet, companies continue to send their people to one to three day business education seminars in hopes to change behaviors.

Let me ask you a question. How long did it take you to become the person that you are? Usually, years is the answer. So how can you change years of behavior over the course of 1 to 3 days? Simply speaking, you cannot!

Possibly, this is why corporate coaching and executive coaching has taken off because many of the coaches utilize a developmental process where the learning is staggered over weeks and months not hour and days.

Several years ago, my coach and now friend, David Herdlinger introduced the concept of the K.A.S.H. Box. I then expanded it into the K.A.S.H. Box for Sustainable Change. The core message is that when resources are directed solely to the knowledge and skills while ignoring the attitudes and habits there is no sustainable change that being return on investment. Monies are drained away from the K.A.S.H. Box. As my husband has said: It is not a question of do I know it, but rather do I want to do it.

Until the beliefs are changed that learning something will change behaviors, we will still experience less than positive performance improvement from employees. This belief that learning will change behaviors is the greatest obstacle to economic growth barring none.

So save your dollars and invest those dollars in extended learning engagements that will deliver a positive return on your training and education dollars. Finally, remember, that the brain will absorb only what the butt will endure.

Special Education and Family Choices

Most psychologists agree that coming to terms with the reality that your child has a learning disability is a tough thing to accept. However, parents also need to consider that their child's disability may be something other than merely a brain disorder. Consider if you will issues with eye-sight and hearing. Children who have trouble hearing might appear to be slow learners in the classroom, in day care, or kindergarten, but there may be nothing more wrong with them than the basic hearing issue, and once that is taken care of they can compete and do well in the classroom as any other child.

Therefore, parents need to make sure they get the proper tests done in advance of exiling their children into a special education category, where they may not belong. So, on one hand parents need to face the facts and admit there is a real problem and get over that issue, but on the second hand, they should not merely accept it before all the hard choices they will have to make. After all, it might be a year or two before the special education teachers realize that the child is perfect in every way except for a minor eye problem or hearing issue.

Luckily, our schools and therapists are getting much better at all this, so, generally speaking after taking a few tests with some professionals early detection is completely possible. Another issue is that often children experience learning disabilities which are temporary, and with minor modification, or working through other issues as described here. Perhaps the take-away here is to seek the right help early, and if you think your child is not responding correctly, or having trouble that other children aren't - then it behooves you to get the appropriate experts to figure out what is going on.

Indeed, it may be nothing, or it very well could be an easily correctable problem. These things need to be thought out, and you as a parent in this situation need to have a plan, so that your child gets the appropriate education. Sticking a kid in a special education class when they don't belong can have devastating effects and curtail learning due to a low challenge environment.

Now then, here is what I recommend; seek professional help early, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Be skeptical of anyone who tells you your child can't make it in a regular classroom without proper tests and proof. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this

Technology Education and Engineering - More Than Just Computers?

"Technology Education and Engineering is that like computer class"? Technology Education and Engineering is widely unknown to the general public. The common assumption is a typing/word processing class. While virtually unknown, Technology Education and Engineering offers students the ability to explore, discover, and create with technology tools like no other class ever before. It's greatest advantage is using real world lessons to prepare students for their future.

Traditional classrooms today haven't changed since the early 1900s. Meanwhile, outside of school, we continue to utilize technology in our jobs and personal lives. Most classrooms rely on the teacher as the dictator of information and knowledge. In this type of classroom learning is passive. There is very little critical thinking or creativity. For example, information is communicated through a series of lectures and note taking. Students are generally given a worksheet or crossword puzzle to access what was "learned." After the students pass the exam they forget the concepts that were covered. Most learning is linear starting with lecture and ending with exams.

Technology Education and Engineering allows students to take control of their learning. They have the opportunity to make choices, explore, and discover the information on the subject. They are able to take this information and do something with it by creating a project. We learn by doing, and gaining experience in an applied area, which is known as active learning. The skills for the projects are the same skills that professionals would use in a career.

The lessons combine all subjects as the student learns. It doesn't separate science, math, history, or English but combines them with the technology tools of today's world. When completing a project in a career, it will not separate the objectives according to subject.

For example, a bridge design project includes forces from science, critical weight calculations from math, a presentation of why they chose their design elements and how they fit in the budget, and computer aided drafting from technology. A presentation before engineers of bridge design choices, or send a letter to county or state officials on problem bridges and how to cheaply improve them for the future.

Technology Education and Engineering draws its concepts from real world examples. Activities work closely with STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Technology Education and Engineering incorporates solving problems with a group. Collaboration between team members is a vital workforce skill. As the students work together they motivate each other to a deeper understanding of the concepts and how to solve them. Each student has a responsibility in their group, and they hold each other accountable for the work to be done. Students understand how their roles and responsibilities relate to the entire project, and the real world.

Many people today seem to be looking for a change in education. They see the current system and understand the flaws in the traditional method of education. More people need to investigate Technology Education and Engineering as an example of 21 century learning. It is the class that is preparing students for tomorrow with the technology of today.

Online Education and Law Degrees - Something to Think On

The cost to go to law school these days is absolutely insane. Very few kids graduate with law degrees that have not spent over $150,000 in tuition fees. This means they have taken out loans that they must deal with even before they actually start making money. So many lawyers file bankruptcy because they are laden in debt, but this doesn't need to happen, after all, all you really need is the information, and then you need to pass the bar.

You can get a law degree, through several online educational companies. You might also be surprised how much you can learn about law by reading things online or going to the local library at your county. If you learn what you need to know to get a job as a paralegal, and then pay for your online education degree in full, and you won't have any tuition debt when you complete your courses.

If you have been paying attention all along and doing your homework you should be able to pass the bar without too much problem and now you are a lawyer. You can then start working for a local law firm, and eventually become a partner, and perhaps someday in the future a large law firm will make you an offer you can't refuse.

Best of all you will join a bunch of other lawyers and attorneys that are quite good in their field, except you have an average over all of them, you don't have the student loans to repay, so you're actually going to live a better lifestyle, without all that debt. Please consider getting an online education and a law degree, because it is definitely something to think on.

University of Pennsylvania

The famous University of Pennsylvania is situated in the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania in the country of the United States of America. The University of Pennsylvania is one of the few universities of the US that came into being at about the same time the country was established. As a result, the University of Pennsylvania boasts of a rich history. It is a reputed University and is part of the prestigious Ivy League group of universities. Benjamin Franklin, who was an important citizen of Philadelphia when Philadelphia and Pennsylvania were in their earliest stages of development, is credited with being the founder of the University. He was a student of the University himself. Franklin initiated several progressive reforms in the College of Philadelphia - that was the name of the University then - so that the College became one of the main seats of higher learning of the New World.

Aim, Goal, Motto

The University used the great Roman poet, Horace's work to devise its motto. The English translation of the Latin words (composed by Horace), the University represented in its motto were: 'of what avail empty laws without good morals?' These words were changed gradually over the years. The present motto is: 'laws without morals are useless.' This is only a slight modification of Horace's original words. As the University of Pennsylvania, also known as the University of Penn, proudly proclaims that 'laws without morals are useless', it should examine its own laws and morals thoroughly. Can the University be so cocksure of its own laws and morals?

Studies

The University of Pennsylvania is celebrated for its many departments or schools such as its School for Engineering and Applied Science, School of Nursing, College of Arts and Sciences and 'The Wharton School', the well-known B-School of the world. The University of Pennsylvania is eminent for encouraging its students to pursue multidisciplinary careers. The University urges its students to study for more than one degree at a time and to pursue majors in subjects that are not commonly studied. It also allows a great degree of flexibility in its course curricula so that students with children and working students can study comfortably at the University.

The University of Pennsylvania is home to several graduate schools as well where students pursue graduate courses, professional courses and research programs. Some of these schools are the University of Pennsylvania Law School, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, and other schools.

Admissions

The University of Pennsylvania observes very strict admission procedures just to show that it is a great university and that it admits none but the best. It generally admits only 16% of the total number of applicants who apply to the University. It ensures that those it admits have secured top places in their respective high schools. Only 60% to 65% of the admitted candidates actually get through the stiff courses of the University and receive degrees. The University of Pennsylvania is ranked as one of the first 10 most difficult universities to secure admissions in, in the whole of the US.

On the whole, the University is also a seat of egotism apart from learning and higher education. Because it ranks within the top ten universities of the country, it thinks the world of itself. It automatically infuses its vanity into its students who think greatly of themselves when they graduate from the University. The students of the University of Pennsylvania feel that they have the right to demand respect from people who are ordinary and who are not so successful. It is sad that the more meritorious students are, the more haughty they become.

What Specialties Are Available For Online Education Degrees?

While each core curriculum will differ from school to school, most education degree programs include courses in all relevant aspects of education. These courses are designed to give you the knowledge needed to be a successful teacher.

Some schools also give you the freedom to choose your own curriculum for your online degree. This means that you can decide which areas of the education field you want to gain expertise in. The ability to design your own curriculum gives you a unique background that allows you to stand out from the competition and attracts potential employers. Some concentrations for online education degrees include Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Adult Education, Distance and Online Education, Educational Administration, and Special Education.

People who have their online education degrees in Elementary Education usually teach kindergarten through fifth grade. The major goals of this degree are to establish a foundation in reading, writing, math, science, history, and the social sciences for all children. The courses in this field are designed to prepare you to teach these major fields of study. Some course titles include Philosophy of Education, Psychology of Learning, and Teaching Methods. You may also be required to take courses in computer technology.

A degree in Secondary Education is for those who want to teach middle school and high school aged children. Many individuals who get their degree in secondary education focus their training on a particular subject, such as English, math, or science. The courses in this field will teach you about different teaching techniques, curriculum development, and other related topics.

An online degree in Adult Education will prepare you to teach and educate adults. This can include a teaching career in colleges, universities, and learning centers. People pursuing this degree generally specialize in a specific subject, or have work experience in a particular field. Courses in this field of study include Adult Growth and Development, Adult Psychology, and Program Planning and Development.

A degree in Distance and Online Education will prepare you to work in the field of distance learning. People with this degree generally work at colleges and universities teaching their courses online. Some of the courses in this degree include Foundations of Distance Education, Technology in Distance Education, and Teaching and Learning in Online Distance Education.

People who have their degrees in Educational Administration manage the activities in schools, day care centers, and colleges and universities. They can also be directors of educational programs in businesses, prisons, and museums. Many go on to be college presidents and school district superintendents. Courses in this field of study include Introduction to Educational Research and Evaluation, Policy Studies, Current Issues in Education, and Educational Leadership.

Online Degrees in Education

Education is very extensive field and provides you several diverse opportunities. Degree holders or teachers can concentrate on early, middle or secondary students. They can also work in administrative positions. Professionals can also specialize in designing teaching material, adult education or they can also get training as an administrative specialist such as principal or vice principal.

Goals of Earning Online Degrees in Education

Teaching is considered as very easy going profession. But if you really want to become a good teacher you must have multiple skill and expertise like ability of handling students, strong communication skills and talent to convince, motivate and train. After earning any online degree in education from top accredited online university or college you will be able to train students to resolve the problems. If you start your career as elementary teacher you will teach all subjects of basic level. But on secondary level you will teach subjects of your area of specialization. Higher level online degrees in education enable you for higher education positions such as community colleges, vocational schools and universities.

Online Degrees in Education

Several online degrees from associates to doctorate levels are available. Many top accredited online universities and top accredited online colleges offer online degrees in education. Following are the online degrees available.

o Associates Degree in Education
o Bachelors Degree in Education
o Masters Degree in Education
o Ph.D. Education Degree
o Degree in Early Childhood Education
o Master Degree in Education Administration

Online Associates in Education

Online Associates Degree in Education is ideal for working individual to make a career move. It is very beneficial because it is very focused and practical without vast time obligation of bachelor's degree. You will focus on a general education courses that include sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. After earning associates level degree your potential career paths incorporate teaching in a Head Start program, Elementary school Para professional and teacher assistant. Associates degree is considered as initial level online degree in education.

Online Bachelors Degree in Education

Online Bachelors Degree in Education provides you option to become certified K-6 Teacher. You will get thorough knowledge of K-6 elementary teacher certification, advanced educational studies, human recourse development, corporate training and higher education. You can select any specific subject of your interest. You will be able to help young students to develop skills and acquiring knowledge. After earning online bachelors you can work as elementary/high school teacher, counselor, course developer, researcher and college professor

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1588967

Education

What is the meaning of education?

Webster defines education as the process of educating or teaching. Educate is further defined as "to develop the knowledge, skill, or character of..." Thus, from these definitions, we might assume that the purpose of education is to develop the knowledge, skill, or character of students.

It is also defined in Oxford that education is the knowledge, abilities, and the development of character and mental powers that are resulted from intellectual, moral, and physical trainings. So, it can be said that someone who already got education will have additional knowledge, abilities and change in character and mental power.

While in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, it is stated that:
Education encompasses teaching and learning specific skills, and also something less tangible but more profound: the imparting of knowledge, positive judgment and well-developed wisdom. Education has as one of its fundamental aspects the imparting of culture from generation to generation (see socialization). Education means 'to draw out', facilitating realization of self-potential and latent talents of an individual. It is an application of pedagogy, a body of theoretical and applied research relating to teaching and learning and draws on many disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, computer science, linguistics, neuro-science, sociology and anthropology.

From the quotation above, it is assumed that education does not merely transfer knowledge or skill, but more specifically it trains people to have positive judgment and well-developed wisdom, better characters and mental powers. Through education, someone will be able to search through their natural talent and self-potential, empower them and finally will result in gaining their self-esteem and better life.

The history of education according to Dieter Lenzen, president of the Freie Universität Berlin 1994 "began either millions of years ago or at the end of 1770". Education as a science cannot be separated from the educational traditions that existed before. Education was the natural response of early civilizations to the struggle of surviving and thriving as a culture. Adults trained the young of their society in the knowledge and skills they would need to master and eventually pass on.

The education of an individual human begins since he was born and continues throughout his life. Even, some people believe that education begins even before birth, as evidenced by some parents' playing music or reading to the baby in the womb to hope it will influence the child's development. For some, the struggles and triumphs of daily life provide far more instruction than does formal. Family members may have a profound educational effect - often more profound than they realize - though family teaching may function very informally.

Education: the purpose, function and in practice

Theorists have made a distinction between the purpose of education and the functions of education. A purpose is the fundamental goal of the process-an end to be achieved, while Functions are other outcomes that may occur as a natural result of the process- byproducts or consequences of schooling. To elaborate these terms, it can be seen in reality that some teachers believe that the transfer of knowledge from teacher to students is the main purpose of education, while the transfer of knowledge from school to the real world or the application of what has been transferred is something that happens naturally as a consequence of possessing that knowledge; it is called a function of education.

Here are some quotations taking from The Meaning of Education:
"The only purpose of education is to teach a student how to live his life-by developing his mind and equipping him to deal with reality. The training he needs is theoretical, i.e., conceptual. He has to be taught to think, to understand, to integrate, to prove. He has to be taught the essentials of the knowledge discovered in the past-and he has to be equipped to acquire further knowledge by his own effort" ~Ayn Rand

"The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think-rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with the thoughts of other men." ~Bill Beattie

From the above information it can be said that the purpose of education is to prepare the students to be able to face their life by facilitating them to develop their mind and equip them with "hard skill" and "soft skill" to deal with reality. As the result of this education, they themselves will be able to think, to understand, to integrate and to prove their ability.

The Education System in America

The role that the educational system should play in the live of people is to educate them to be conscious, critically thinking individuals who do not passively accept knowledge but question the knowledge that is being taught to them. Education should be taught to give students the skills and intelligence they need to understand the world and how the world works in order to survive in it. However, the American educational system has been known to produce students whom are woefully ignorant about the world and different cultures. One of the reasons is because the educational system in its current state does not leave much room for critical thinking but trains individuals to be docile, worker bees in a global economy that keeps the status quo wealthy and "others" barely making it. The problem becomes evident if we look at the varied curriculums and subjects that are being taught. There is a lack of emphasis on academic learning, and the only thing that matters is high stakes testing. The schools in this country have become swamped with fuzzy curriculums that assume that through constant testing, students will be prepared for life in a new global society . . . whatever that is.

I recently had a conversation with a co-worker and we were discussing how African-Americans were treated forty years ago and I was amazed by her naivety about the subject, considering the fact that she was a college graduate and an African-American. From the moment I entered college, I was eager to explore the history of African and African-American history from a view point that did not make them seem sub-human and college affords students that opportunity. I could not help but wonder what type of history and sociological classes she had taken; from her conversation, none. But the sad truth is that when most people make the decision to attend college, it is for the purpose of reaping economic rewards, not for expanding one's consciousness.

In order for the educational system in this country to produce students who are not clueless about its history and the world surrounding them, it should be restructured in several ways. Parental involvement should be mandatory, just as school attendance for students is mandatory for graduation. Lack of parent involvement is an enormous contributing factor to the current failing educational system. Parents need to instill in their children just how detrimental a lack of education is to their future. Teachers are wonderful people who can take students from the top of Mount Olympus to the cold and desolation of Antarctica but they are there to teach, not parent. Many teachers spend a great deal of their class time disciplining children and playing babysitter, two things that are not a part of their job duties. Teachers need involvement from parents in order for the educational system to work and education begins at home.

Funding for the educational system should also be restructured. Public schools are traditionally funded by property taxes which results in a very unequal distribution of educational opportunity. Communities that are wealthy have more funding for their local schools than those who do not. This situation directly affects the quality of education that children in urban and poor rural areas receive. The No Child Left Behind Act will only make it worse because of the required testing and public reporting of results. When parents are buying a new house, they want to live in a school district that has strong test scores. This drives up the property values in those areas, meaning that only affluent families can afford to live in the top performing school districts. This means more property taxes to those areas, while the lower performing schools lose their funding if they do not meet federal standards. There should be a fair tax system for education that is not based on property taxes of homeowners. Government funding, for the most part, is distributed to the various schools by state and local governments and there is huge disparities in this funding based on race. According the text American Education by Joel Spring, there is a gap of more than $1,000 per student nation wide based on race, with large states like New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, who lead the nation in their unwillingness to fairly fund education (Spring, pg. 77). Children should not suffer because of their economic background or ethnicity and public education should make no distinction between rich and poor, or black and white. Every child attending a public school should be granted an equal education. Equal funding would grant teachers the proper resources to better educate students. School choice and the privatization of the public school system would not be a factor because under my plan, the educational system in America would be fully and equally funded by the federal government and closely monitored. With the influx of money pouring into the educational system from the government, schools would change dramatically for the better because that is the biggest issue in most public schools: lack of money.

The educational system's curriculum would be changed in order to fit in with the nation's melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. From elementary to high school, students are bombarded with facts and figures about wealthy, white men as if women and other minorities do not exist or contribute anything worthy to the history of America. No wonder so many students blank out historical facts: they do not care these fact because they cannot relate to the actors in the story. Student should be required to take courses that have will give them a more in depth understanding of the world surrounding them, courses that will discuss the history of marginalized and oppressed individuals in this country and around the world. They should be required to read books that make them think, not just process information for the next test. If more students understood the values and cultures of people unlike themselves, it would not be easy or maybe even possible for the government to lie and use propaganda techniques to lull the masses into believing everything was okay and its leaders competent. High stakes testing would be eliminated because most of the tests are designed by people who do not have a clue about the demographics, ethnicities or economic backgrounds of the students who are to be tested and these tests are biased against minorities and the poor. If students are to be tested, extra tutoring would be available to students, at no cost to the parents.

Having competent teachers, board members, and administrators are also a vital part of restructuring the educational system. Having qualified administrators and board members who know and enforce standards and guidelines is important. What are the qualifications for an administrator? Are there required qualifications? These are the questions that need answers. Just because someone has obtained a degree does not make this person the best for the job. Board members should not be chosen because they golf with the mayor; all board members should have a Master's degree in Education or have an extensive social justice background. As for teachers, the educational system should make sure that the best teachers are chosen for the positions and evaluations should be given frequently. This would give parents and the educational system a chance to find out what is wrong and what is needed to correct the problems. Public education needs teachers and board members that actually care about the children and their education, not individuals who want the perks of working for school system: summers and holidays off, steady raises and a fat compensation package. American children are suffering due to the inadequacies of the individuals involved with the educational system.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/445815

Education and Real Life

in contemporary times, nearly just like a cultural apply, education is elevated onto the level in an initiation rite into your modern world. when using the aid of formal educational coaching, individuals acquire the abilities of reading and writing. it's obvious that literacy, the ability to learn out to read and write, has turned out to firmly be a requisite for controlling various challenges of modern times. just like a strategy for ensuring that no kid is denied the chance of acquiring formal education, not sending a baby to college could be a criminal offence in a few elements of the planet, particularly within the whole west. additionally, a few governments assist their voters to acquire formal education by either subsidising the price or creating it out there at no cost ( along at the basic level, at the very least ). 

it's not possible to fit into your modern times if one won't head to college. consequently, education could be a necessity, absolutely not luxury. peoples angle to education in contemporary time seems to counsel, in fidelity to platonism, which it is higher as being unborn than as being uneducated. the demand for education in numerous elements of the planet is unarguably on daily increase. individuals create various sacrifices to acquire education. folks are willing to provide all they usually have in an effort to see their kids through college. a few individuals travel to foreign countries in an effort to acquire quality educational coaching. acquiring formal education has turned out to firmly be one of the many greatest priorities in daily life these days. 

in spite of this, despite the wide acceptance formal education has gained all over the planet, one of the many most significant questions on education that's typically not asked is, what exactly is the relevance of education to practical life ? in alternative words, to what extent is education helpful in addressing practical life challenges ? this question wants as being asked as a result of the expected impacts of education are absent will be the lifetime of several educated individuals. one of the many factors that speak terribly eloquently for this is the idea that education has continuously remained unable to further improve the customary of living of various graduates. 

it's imperative to remark that education could be a means that to an finish, although not an finish in itself. the implication of this is often that education could be a method that leads onto the creating the most product. the actual procedure is incomplete while not the merchandise. it will be the product that offers worth onto the means that. the quality of the actual procedure might well be inferred due to quality as out to the product. just like a means that, education is incomplete while not finished of the actual procedure. this finish will be the purpose it ( education ) requires serve ( underneath ideal situation ). allow us to justify our claim that the expected impacts of education are absent will be the lifetime of several educated individuals by examining a really sensitive aspect of lifetime of educated individuals, their finances. 

how much educated many people are truly financially successful ? most graduates struggle all through life to take ends meet, other then to no avail. there may be various those that graduated from tertiary establishments ( even along at the prime as out to the category ), other then that are so much below several individuals with lower educational coaching ( educational intelligence and scholarly ability ) than theirs within the whole ladder of monetary success. probably, money struggles and crises are worse among educated individuals. most educated individuals struggle all through their operating years merely to take ends meet, other then to no avail, and finish as liabilities throughout their retirement. 

the inability of education to assist graduates in managing real life challenges is rooted within the whole truth that almost all many people are ignorant as out to the purpose of education. why do we head to college ? why ought to individuals head to college ? what exactly is the aim of education ? what exactly is the rationale of education ? what will be the objectives of education ? why ought to folks send their kids to college ? education is one of the many most abused or, rather, misunderstood human experiences. unless the aim of education is understood and clarified, the continuity of its abuse ( by most individuals ) can stay inevitable. lots of individuals head to college for the incorrect reasons. additionally, most folks send their kids to college for the incorrect reasons. most many people erroneous conceptions concerning the objectives of education. 

it's imperative to remark this problem is rooted within the whole indisputable fact that the major incentive for traveling to college within the whole earliest days of its inception in numerous elements of the planet was that finally it was a ticket to prosperity. this was potential then as a result of employment opportunities abound for educated individuals then. other then things have modified, but considerably. practically in most elements of the planet these days, there's high level of unemployment among educated individuals. so, education won't guarantee money success anymore. the fact is, education has turned out to firmly be a serious cause of poverty, considering simple fact that it must no provision for instilling the expertise in wealth creation principles in students. 

it's high time the aim of education is reconsidered. the objective of traveling to college in an effort to acquire certificate ought out to be denounced, in the event the coaching can improve the lifetime of educated individuals. the objective of traveling to college in an effort to prepare for gainful employment ought to additionally be denounced as a result of there may be restricted employment opportunities for unlimited graduates. if college prepares graduates for employment, however there are restricted employment opportunities for unlimited graduates, it implies that college prepares students for unemployment. this is often why the conception that college merely prepares students for gainful employment is unacceptable. 

the ideal purpose of education usually is to facilitate an integral development as out to the human person - the intellectual, ethical, physical, social, spiritual, psychical and psychological dimensions of man. traveling to college ought to facilitate the optimum development of all the aspects as out to the human person. an ideal educational system mustn't isolate any aspect of man within the whole coaching method, nor think about a few aspects a lot of necessary than others. something in need of this is often an aberration, and is unacceptable.