Advocacy

              America has the potential to be ranked with the highest ranking countries in education. However, America is currently falling behind countries such as Switzerland and South Korea since “only 7 percent of U.S. students perform at the advanced level in math” (Hanushek & Peterson, 2011).  America can raise this percentage by using the resources at their disposal to their full advantage, but most importantly encourage parents to interact with their children and promote the value of education and learning.

            Some believe that we are lagging behind because there have not been enough funds invested or that more technology needs to be incorporated in the classroom. America has definitely invested the funds needed into education and latest technology. So while that may not be the problem, teachers may not be putting enough effort into their profession. However studies have also shown that teachers are working eleven hour days (Kenny, 2012). While American education is on the rise to success because it has targeted and fixed certain flaws, there is one more area America needs to address: parent involvement.  Now, America has to learn how to properly incorporate these tools to help parents help their children succeed. The pride of our nation depends on it. If America wants to continue to be a world power, they will need to prepare the youth properly because one day the youth will inherit the nation. Parents will heavily influence how the child will contribute to society later in life.

 Parents are the biggest influence on a child’s life; so naturally, they are the most important part of helping children succeed in school. So as a nation, we need to make sure that parents are well-equipped to lead children in the right direction. The nation would be capable of doing this by implementing parenting classes that would teach parents how to encourage their children to learn and how to get involved with their education.  By making parenting classes easily accessible in each community, the livelihood of the nation could improve significantly.

So together, we need to raise awareness amongst parents and school administrators the important part parents play in their children’s education. If school administrators are aware of this importance, they might implement the parenting classes necessary to move the nation forward. Also, if parents are aware of their own importance in their child’s education, they would be encouraged to be more involved and willing to take parenting classes.

The future of our nation is in the hands of the parents. If students are successful in their education they could possibly increase economic growth because companies wouldn’t be forced to outsource to foreign counterparts who may be more skilled than an American. Students would be able to obtain better jobs, if they are well educated from a young age and learn the value of an education. Also by learning the value of education at a young age, when these children have their own children they will also teach their children the value of education.

Parents, if there are classes available, attend. If there are no classes available, ask if there is any way they could be implemented. 

Documentary:
The following video is a documentary that provides information about the importance of teaching and promoting integrity.