America is not number one

High school student studies relentlessly. During the school year, teens say their stress level is higher than levels reported by adults in the past month

High school student studies relentlessly. During the school year, teens say their stress level is higher than levels reported by adults in the past month

Clayton Saunders, Ranger Review Reporter

The modern education system in America is one of the most flawed systems in place to this day. Unlike many other countries, the United States has not adapted the way that they teach their children. The American military is up to date with this century, but the education system is not.

“The US has fallen in the rankings. In 1990, the US ranked sixth in the world for its levels of education and health — 21 spots ahead of where it is now,” according to Business Insider.

The United States is ranked number one in the world for military, yet education is far behind on the list. Over fifty percent of the nation’s budget is spent on military, while education is less than ten percent of that budget.

According to the American Psychological Association Survey, “During the school year, teens say their stress level is higher than levels reported by adults in the past month.”

Stress among high schoolers is a huge issue, and I believe the education system is to blame. Teachers give out meaningless assignments, “busy work”, that takes up lots of the students time. Math departments give out long assignments regularly without accounting for other class loads.

“Suicides among children seventeen and younger had doubled in the county in 2015 to 14 deaths, compared with seven in 2014. The numbers spiked to a high of fifteen teen suicides in 2016, and last year saw thirteen,” reported by the Gazette.

In our community, we have been personally affected by the results of high stress and depression. These suicides are becoming more and more normal, yet the schools are not doing enough to prevent them. Teens are under regular stress from school with constant pressure from their parents.

“While in the US, students have to wade through hours of homework each night, Finnish schools complete all the work necessary during school hours, leaving children free to play with their friends and family in the evenings,” according to Study International News.

Playtime and family time are essential to youths development; Finnish children are encouraged to play outside of class. Ranking number two in the world for education, Finland shows the importance of positive mental health in regards to education.

“Currently, our education system has us teens get up at 6:00am and get to school at 7:00am. Science has proven that teens aren’t fully active until 9:00 – 10:00 am; sadly, this means such a start time can hurt how much the learn and how much effort we put in,” said an anonymous user on debate.org.

Clearly, change is needed from many aspects of the entire education system in place. American children are paying the price of politicians’ carelessness, that are too ignorant realize that change is needed. Investing in education is investing in the future of this country and should not be overlooked.