The Ins and Outs Of Public Education

By: Rilynn Reigles (Managing Editor)

Over the course of hundreds of years, the school system has built itself from the ground up. 

What is a public school? A question that many people skip asking, and instead dive headfirst into the big topics of all the things happening in the public education system. In the United States, the public school system provides free school to almost all students from pre-K to 12th grade, while also giving opportunities that many other countries do not. 

According to the Human Rights Watch foundation, there are millions of students around the world who do not have access to free education, ranging from all ages. The difference between these students and the students of America is that the U.S provides tremendous amounts of opportunities. These opportunities consist of things like: qualified teachers and administrators, free education, and a chance to take any pathway you want for your life.

There are so many things that are still in the works, from teacher equality to safe environments for students, but America is continuing to give chances and opportunities that not everyone gets. The Human Rights Watch says, “Education is a fundamental right for all children.” Because of this belief, America is working consistently to provide education for all the students of the U.S, which gives people all over the nation a hope for a better public school system. 

— — — —

The United States of America has provided thousands of students with free education. It has given opportunities and chances that not all places have, like different learning options, and a chance to find a voice in this world. Though this doesn’t mean that the school system is perfect. Actually, it’s far from it, with unheard teacher voices and high demands from school boards, parents, and the educators. 

With highly trained individuals and mentors who have seen what feels like everything, the teachers of America are the backbone of the school system. Teachers throughout the country are constantly working to give students the education they deserve.  The Teachers Of Tomorrow foundation talks a lot about how teachers are playing such a big role in today’s society, and they say, “Their commitment to lifelong learning and passion for subjects inspire students to recognize the power of education.” So many teachers have devoted their livelihoods to the kids of America, and without them, there are millions of students who would be left without an education to go on. 

There are many pros about the school system, and those pros need to be acknowledged, realizing that there are so many people working to better the education of the future of our country. But the cons of the system are still affecting hundreds of students each day. These downsides need to be addressed so that America can continue to build a positive environment for teachers and students.

 The public school system is often underfunded, and because of this, not all schools are provided with the same level of education or understanding of what the curriculum asks for. The Learning Policy Institute speaks a lot about the problems the school system is facing when it comes to having enough money to provide a safe and helpful learning community. “Research shows that student outcomes are adversely impacted when education funding is cut,” says the Learning Institute. When there is not enough funding for schools, then it is the students and the teachers who suffer. Due to low funding, the demands from teachers and students are left without a voice. This is because without enough money to fund the needs of students and teachers, education becomes limited, and for many students, it becomes a fight to make it through the years until they can graduate with a low GPA, or until they can drop out. 

Highly trained teachers and staff of schools are not the only pro to the public education system, nor are low funding and fewer opportunities the only con of the system. Ranging from good to bad, the school system is far from being perfect. Though knowing simply just a few aspects of the education system can help build an understanding of what this country is providing.

— — — —

From the halls of FMS, to the streets of Fruita, the way the school system is running is affecting people all around our community. FMS is doing continuous work to make sure that we keep this school running smoothly and efficiently, though this does not mean that everything we are doing is perfect. As we navigate things from student behavior to teacher demands, FMS is working hard to accomplish everything it can for the students and teachers. 

The teachers are one of the main voices of FMS, and they have a lot of insight and ideas to make sure the students are getting everything they need. Mrs. Burke, one of the eighth-grade science teachers here at FMS, has provided a lot of information on what she has noticed about how our school runs. When asked about what information Mrs. Burke has gained since she began teaching, and how her opinion and thoughts have changed over the years, she explains, “We have made kids think more critically.” Mrs. Burke says that this helps students become self-sufficient and learn things on their own. Mrs. Burke also talks about the fact that not many students take the time to actually do the work that they are presented with. “We have also given students excuses to not do the work that will help them understand the material.” Says Mrs. Burke, and this is important because the students are finding ways around doing the work that truly matters. - The work can teach them real-life skills like time management and responsibility.

Mrs. Burke also discussed that FMS is doing a lot to make sure to keep on top of student behaviors. She says, “FMS is doing a really good job while dealing with behaviors that get in the way of learning.” She explains that holding kids accountable is really important when making sure that our school is able to run smoothly, and we are able to make some hard decisions knowing that the students are not going to disrupt those choices. Holding people accountable is one step to making sure that we, as a school, are able to communicate effectively so that we can provide the best possible education for the students of Fruita. 

Mr. Carroll, one of the seventh-grade math teachers, has also given us some insight into some of the ins and outs of how the school system here at FMS works. Mr. Carroll explains, “From building level to district level, it requires an abundance of communication.” When elaborating on this, Mr. Carroll explains that having a strong community where we are comfortable enough to bring up some of the bigger issues is the key to success. Mr. Carroll has also described what he believes teachers should continue doing to meet the needs of students. “Inspire their students to be role models of learning and remind students that the process of learning is the foundation that can be applied to all aspects of life.” Mr. Carroll says that the students need to understand all the different places their education can lead them.

Core teachers, Elective teachers, and administrators are all working together to make sure that FMS is doing its best to make a happy and productive environment for the students, but also the adults of the school. 

Many of the elective teachers here at FMS have seen firsthand how the school system affects the students and teachers of this nation. Mr. Hirsch, the futures teacher for grades 6th-8th, has provided some good entail to what he thinks is working great for the system. “What I love about this year [this school] is [that] the culture of the school has been a little more exciting/fun.” He explains that he is able to see the difference in attitude this year, and he can tell that students are becoming more excited about showing up to school and learning. When asked about what Mr. Hirsch would like to see country-wide change about the school system, he says, “Equal pay for teachers.” Mr. Hirsch explains that he has seen the dedication that these educators have made, that he has seen the amount of learning and devotion it takes to be a teacher. Because of this, Mr. Hirsch would like to see teachers get deserving compensation for helping to raise the kids who will continue to build our country. 

Mr. Johnston, the head principal of FMS, continuously works to do what is best for the teachers and students of the school. Mr. Johnston explains that “shared leadership” is the key when trying to keep up with the demands from students, teachers, and people outside/higher up in the district. Building relationships and having a strong community can help build up all angles that the system wants to take. Mr. Johnston also clarified that teacher involvement is very important. He says, “We ask teachers to join a committee.” Whether it's about advisory (1st hour) lessons, or about assemblies. Mr. Johnston explains that hearing all the different voices of FMS is very important.

When asked about what Mr. Johnston wants to continue to see from FMS, he says, “The goal is always to meet the students where they are at, and students are at all different places.” When asked to elaborate on this, Mr. Johnston explained that he wants to see the expansion of opportunities. He wants students to be able to see all of the different things they could do with their lives, whether it’s college, trade school, or being undecided until they get there. Mr. Johnston wants to see and hear more student voices, which can be provided through clubs like the student senate, yearbook committee, and the Fruita Feed. 

 — — — —

From California to New York, it is undeniable that every district is different, but one point stands out above the rest: the American public school system is still working and building to meet the needs of board members, administrators, students, and especially the teachers.

Sources used:

• Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/tag/free-education-for-all-children

• Teachers of tomorrow: https://www.teachersoftomorrow.org/blog/insights/reasons-why-teachers-play-a-crucial-role-in-society/

• Thomas B. Fordham Foundation: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/americas-education-system-mess-and-its-students-who-are-paying-price

• Learning Policy Institute: https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/how-money-matters-factsheet