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Commission wants "overhaul" of US school system

Categories: Development, Education

A commission of education and business leaders have called for a complete overhaul of the American education system, which includes ending public school education at the 10th grade for some students.

The Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce suggests that students should take exams after finishing the 10th grade. Their scores would help decide if the student should go onto community college or finish 11th and 12th grade and vie for a position at a four-year college or university.

By not having mandatory 11th and 12th grade education for all children, the government could eventually save $60 billion dollars.

They suggest having independent contractors oversee schools, which would remain public. The states, instead of the local districts, would oversee the funding of the schools.

I personally enjoy hearing about schools from around the world and what is and isn't working for them. Here's an article from 2001 that discusses schools in a variety of countries. From what I gather, the commission's recommendation of ending schooling at the tenth grade is similar to what is in place in the United Kingdom.

This is an interesting subject, one that will hopefully have people taking a good look at the American education system. What do you think needs to happen in the schools where you live? Is there something that you think needs to change?

Personally, I feel that American schools need to start teaching foreign language at a younger age, much like schools in other parts of the world. I also would like to see less "teaching to the test" and more teaching for the sake of learning.

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