America land of opportunity and having issues in poor urban or rural school districts

Parents Forum
1

<p>I am looking for problems related with mostly urban or rural school districts. This affects a big segment in American society and has potential national security concern for these reasons.</p>

<p>Like any race, kids belonging to minorities (Afro American, Mexicans, and Native Americans) are intelligent. I am sure that given proper resources these kids can perform like any Asians, European Americans. After all many African Americans are performing exceptionally well provided they were given tools to succeed in early age as well in professional life.</p>

<p>I am starting this thread to find out what could be wrong and how to fix the problem as this problem drags American society. My list maybe offensive but the purpose of this thread is make American educational system available to anyone. We suburban people take these things for granted.</p>

<p>Please do not provide offensive comments that people are lazy etc (They could be in any race). I am trying to find out what could be underlying problems and what solutions could be implemented to root these problems out. </p>

<p>Problems: These problems could be extended to rural school districts too

  1. Lack of parental involvement, Lack of role models
  2. lack of family understanding about importance of college education,
  3. Lack of funding/misuse of funds in school districts
  4. Lack of quality teachers
  5. Teachers dealing with behavioral problems of students and thus do not have time to teach.
  6. Unmotivated kids or kids distracted by outside interests
  7. Kids can not link education with life success.
  8. Look down by other kids if one is a nerd and thus trying to fit in to be underachiever.
  9. Problems of low property value and tax base in the worst performing school district.
  10. Lack of vision provided by political establishments related with educational achievements</p>

<p>Solutions: These could be very complex and may not be feasible to implement but at least we could think how to implement it.

  1. Additional funding but what is the limit and how much taxpayers would be willing to afford - Politically may be or may not be popular
  2. Additional funding from state and federal – would voters would be willing to do so Politically may be or may not be popular
  3. Diverting money from other sources – Politically may be or may not be popular
  4. Educate and better informed parents
  5. More PTA involvements
  6. Better educated teachers
  7. Better political vision</p>

<p>Please add you view point that are solutions or problems and avoid any derogatory marks.</p>