November 17, 2016

The Right to Education and the U.S. Educational System

Within the U.S. K-12 educational system, there is a strong emphasis on the right to education for every student, starting at the kindergarten level and proceeding all the way to grade 12 (the final year of secondary school). This mindset infuses every aspect of the American educational experience, since the “right to education” means that an education must be accessible, readily available and free of any form of discrimination.

As defined by UNESCO, education is a fundamental human right and essential for the exercise of all other human rights. The right to education promotes individual freedom and empowerment and helps to deliver other important benefits, such as social development. And yet, according to UNESCO, there are at least 70 million children worldwide that are prevented from going to school, whether it’s due to economic, social or religious reasons.

The American “right to education” is grounded in this vision from UNESCO. From an American perspective, education is a powerful tool for helping all economically and socially disadvantaged groups rise out of poverty and contribute to society. Education, in short, helps to minimize the gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” in society.

This is in contrast to many nations in the developing world, where the lack of schooling and a poor education have negative effects on the population and the country. The children leave school without having acquired the basics, which greatly impedes the social and economic development of these countries.

For this reason, the need for teachers within the U.S. is often greatest in geographic areas that are attempting to deliver on the universal view of the right to education. It’s important to keep in mind the overall efforts within the U.S. by educators and administrators to make the same type of high-quality education available to all, regardless of where they live. Schools in the urban inner city need to have the same quality as schools in the wealthiest suburbs.

And, going one step further, the idea of a free, high-quality education underpins many of the debates currently taking place about the future of the U.S. educational system. For example, consider the Common Core State Standards, which clearly lay out what each student should learn on a grade-by-grade level as they progress through the K-12 educational system. The goal is to produce graduates who can compete in the global economy, and that means they have mastered certain skills and competencies.

If you’re curious about why American schools place so much emphasis on testing and assessment, this is why. The goal is to make sure that every single student, regardless of socio-economic background, has access to the very best education.

A good education is the bedrock of the American Dream. This means that any student can study hard and become anything they want to be when they are older and graduate from school. Schools do not funnel students into certain jobs or careers – they open up new opportunities and vistas.

Thus, part of becoming ready to teach in America is about proving that you have fully absorbed this educational ethos. It’s not just about having specific teaching skills or academic experiences, it’s also about proving that you are fully committed to the American vision of education, which sees education as a right, not a privilege.