Educational Change in the US - Essay Example

Educational Change al Affiliation: Educational Change Introduction The modern education in USA has significantly changed, and it cannot be compared to the kind of education that was there in the olden days. In the olden days, education was all about simple mathematics, poems and prayer. The value of education was low, and even the number of people who attended schools was substantially low. The available materials of education were few, and the people willing to be educated were also few. However, times have changed, and education is becoming the most valuable asset anyone can own (Razik & Swanson, 2010). Education has become the key to many doors especially in this period of globalization. The USA government has invested a lot in research to better the education systems so that its citizens can be more innovative and competitive. The extensive research has brought about many changes in the education sector. This paper will discuss the key changes that have occurred in the USA system of education and their impact. Additionally, the paper will also look at the driving forces to the changes giving more attention to technological changes. The paper will also discuss how good leadership catalyzes educational changes in an institution. Changes in the Education system Educational competition is evident globally, and all nations are looking forward to making their students the best in the world. The USA has made graduating from high school to college a national imperative. The education system and curriculums are more focused on ensuring that students are competitive in their careers. This is an improvement to the former system whereby the student was supposed to read a lot of course work which might not relate to the career in the future (Films for the Humanities & Sciences, 2007). The K12 education system is aimed at providing complete and competitive education. The requirement for college education has been raised which translates into mandatory better reading in high school levels. The number of teachers recruited in every school is much higher as compared to the numbers recruited in the past. The educational institutions are more ambitious in the kind of teachers that are recruited and how they are prepared and developed to meet the pre-set goal (Hargreaves, 2010). The academic requirement of principals and teachers is quite high, and hence schools have a good workforce to deliver quality education. It has become obligatory that every school has data systems that record education performance of every student (Razik & Swanson, 2010). Such systems provide the teachers with a good reflection of the students past and therefore helping the student improve is easier. Another key change in the educational sector is the increased attention on special education. The government has built more schools for special student in all states in the country. This has provided students with special needs with an opportunity to fulfill their career goals. In addition, the government has also given directives regarding the employability of people with special needs. Such directives give special students motivation to study. The government has increased the educational facilities in every school in the country. Unlike in the past, teachers have sufficient material to educate the students with. The number of classes, libraries, laboratories and books has been increased so that students and teachers have sufficient resources. The ‘race to the top initiative’ has been implemented, and its major aim is aligning the educational system to college and career requirements. The government has been supportive to poor people schools through the ‘No child is left behind program’ (Razik & Swanson, 2010). This program ensures that all schools have equal resources and it that education is affordable to all students. The system of education has become more personalized so that every student is assisted. The increased number of teachers and resources ensures that a single student has much attention from a teacher. It also increases the chances of career exploration so that each student graduates with good academic and career competence. The connect ED initiative is focused on improving education technology in schools the initiative is focused on connecting students to their teachers, library and with other students (Dillon, 2010). This has been accomplished through installation of wireless networks in schools and availability of educational material in softcopy format. Impact of educational changes in the current practices The government has increased its attention to the education system, and it is setting aside more funds and resources for purposes of improving education. Increasing the number of teachers reduces the workload per teacher and hence each student is in a position to get specialized attention (Hargreaves, 2010). Creating equal attention for both normal and special children is a move towards equality. The government has increased its funding to education and hence more resources are available for school managers to improve each school in different ways. Technological advancements such as the provision of Wi-Fi networks in schools increase the amount of educational material at the disposal of every student. Students are to read academic material from their libraries without necessary going to the library (Films for the Humanities & Sciences, 2007). Electronic materials can easily be shared by all the students and hence it is a cheap way to provide educational material for each student. The system of education will provide more skilled laborers since the kind of education that is given to the students all through their education is focused on equipping them with career skills. The government’s funding schools of the poor will ensure that equal education is provided to all people regardless of their social status (Dillon, 2010). Factors driving change in the education sector The major factor that prompts changes in the education system in the USA is global educational competition. Education facilitates innovation and hence every country is focusing on improving education (Hargreaves, 2010). The USA government being among the economy superpowers hence improves education to maintain its position. The current cultures vale education and hence every student is motivated to better themselves academically. The rates of unemployment have heightened, and the only fighting tool is the level of education (Hargreaves, 2011). With this is mind, the government has implemented strategies to better its citizen career-wise The current information landscape requires that people are equipped with a lot of knowledge for them to be competitive. This has ensured that the public is very supportive to new education systems. The prevailing technological changes demand that the education sector transforms technologically (Hargreaves, 2010). Such pressures have caused the system of education to become more digitized. The current society demands people with skills rather than people with too much book content. This has been a driving factor in the changes that the government has put through in the system of education. Information technology in education Information technology has eased the efforts of students to access materials and make good use of them students are to access library materials from anywhere through the internet. Use of visual education increases the memorability of facts and ideas. The current system of education requires that students grasp certain fats that will help them in their careers. Visual tools such as projectors present information to students in a more understandable manner and hence they are able to understand facts easily. The cost of education has been reduced since soft copy information can be shared to all students (Hargreaves, 2011). Access to modernized computer laboratories makes students do thorough research that increases their innovativeness in future. Teachers can also manage their work easily since there is no need of copying notes over and again. Changes are occurring in the current educational setting Currently, technological advancements in the system of education are the major changes taking place. Distant education is being actualized for higher learning institution and people can study from their workplaces or homes. Professors are able to do online lectures that can serve many institutions in one instance. Benchmarking education with other high-performing countries such as Finland is a change that is happening in higher education institutions. Effective leaders Efficient leadership requires that the leaders in charge of any group are flexible to change. The educational sector is under development and hence, an effective leader must be ready to adapt to abrupt changes. Successful leaders must design strategies to implement changes (Razik & Swanson, 2010). Any change requires a plan and which considers both the short term and long term results. Effective leaders must be realistic in their manner of implementation of change. A realistic leader sets goals that are workable within the stipulated time (Razik & Swanson, 2010). Good leaders involve their students and teachers in decisions so that the changes are accepted in the group. Conclusion The modern educational system has changed due to educational competition and the need to produce competitive career people. Changes in technology have also wedged changes in the system of education. The kind of leadership required in the educational sector is unique since the sector is highly dynamic. The leaders in charge must be ready to adjust to prevailing conditions and requirement. References Dillon, R. (2010, November 8). PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING: TED-Educational Design and Systems Thinking [Video file]. Retrieved from http://aprincipalspeaking.blogspot.com/2010/11/ted-educational-design-and-systems.html#!/2010/11/ted-educational-design-and-systems.html Films for the Humanities & Sciences. (2007, February 7). Reading, thinking, and concept development [Video file]. Retrieved from http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=6281&xtid=3163&loid=44812 Hargreaves, A. (2011). Second International Handbook of Educational Change: 1. Berlin: Springer Netherland. Hargreaves, A. (2010, August 20). Andy Hargreaves: 2010 Systems Thinking in Action Conference Preview [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8HmCZ3BH4s Razik, T. A., & Swanson, A. D., (2010). Fundamental concepts of educational leadership and management Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Read More