Key Problems and Solutions for Educational Improvement
by Thomas Lee Abshier, ND
3/24/2025
Summary of key points in Epoch Times article:
- Accountability Measures
- Reinstate meaningful standardized testing consequences
- Link teacher evaluations to student performance
- Maintain transparent school performance reporting
- Enforce attendance policies
- Implement consistent graduation requirements
- Academic Standards
- Restore rigorous high school exit exams
- Maintain strict teacher certification requirements
- Strengthen teacher training programs
- Implement comprehensive Science of Reading programs
- Maintain five-day school weeks
- Teaching Methods
- Adopt successful international teaching approaches (e.g., Singapore Math)
- Balance technology use with traditional learning methods
- Emphasize depth and concept building over compartmentalized learning
- Incorporate appropriate drills and practice (especially in math)
- Focus on core academics over social programming
- Teacher Development
- Improve teacher preparation programs
- Ensure teachers master the subject matter before certification
- Provide ongoing professional development
- Support new teachers more effectively
- Maintain high certification standards
- Resource Allocation
- Direct funding toward academic improvement
- Focus on proven educational methods
- Invest in teacher training and retention
- Prioritize core academic subjects
- Use technology strategically, not as a replacement for teaching
Essay:
Improving American Education: A Return to Fundamentals
The decline in American educational performance presents a complex challenge requiring a multi-faceted solution. The evidence suggests that successful improvement will require a return to fundamental educational principles while incorporating proven modern methods.
First, accountability must be restored to the educational system. The relaxation of standards and accountability measures has contributed significantly to declining performance. Schools, teachers, and students need clear expectations and consequences tied to academic achievement.
Second, academic standards must be maintained and strengthened. The trend toward eliminating exit exams and lowering certification requirements has created a cycle of declining competency. High standards, properly supported, drive improvement and excellence.
Teaching methods need to balance traditional and modern approaches. Successful international models, such as Singapore Math, demonstrate the importance of building deep conceptual understanding while maintaining rigorous practice. Technology should support, not replace, effective teaching methods.
Teacher development is crucial. Quality education requires well-prepared, knowledgeable teachers who receive ongoing support and professional development. The current trend of relaxing certification requirements and rushing teachers into classrooms unprepared must be reversed.
Finally, resources must be allocated strategically toward academic improvement rather than peripheral programs. The United States leads in education spending but lags in results, suggesting the need for more focused investment in proven educational methods.
Success in educational improvement will require a commitment to these fundamental principles while remaining open to evidence-based innovation. The goal should be to create an educational system that prepares students for real-world success while maintaining high academic standards.