About this iReport
- Posted January 19, 2013 by
- adammartyr Follow
Location
Redlands, California
Redlands, California
More iReports you should see
Blind in the Great shadow of Utopia
The criticism of today's public school system in America is a recent phenomenon that seems to be spreading faster than a wild fire. The issue is addressed with the battle cry, 'reform!'. The unsubstantial argument frequently seems to point at PISA tests, which show students in countries like; Japan, Australia, Canada and so on, scoring better, in average, than american students. In reality, however, the source which the critics cling to is the very witness that proves them wrong. When we look at the data of these tests we see that the U.S. does better every three years, when the tests are conducted. The truth is that our good school system is not as bad as portrayed by many. And there are several factors responsible for the failure to achieve the best results in testing and academia of the whole world, such as; our massive low class population and popular culture.
While the true causes of the true problem are outside of our good school system, our system is still not a perfect one. The defects of the system lie, not in the superficial comforts and acomodations, as reforms lean toward, but are within the core of the system--the mandatory curriculum. The issues with the curriculum are not anything new, these problems have been highlighted long ago by philosophers and men of great vision like Plato, Plotinus and later philosophers like Christopher columbus or Sir Thomas More. These men designed not only the perfect school but the perfect society that will change earth for the better-a utopia. In the utopian school the mandatory curriculum consists of; history, literacy, sciences, mathematics and religions. The importance of religious studies (the learning of all religions) is of great essence, it promotes sympathy and respect for the sacred beliefs of the fellow human. This isn't just a simple theory, this has been proven effective thru courses such as 'african american studies'. these studies, which are offered to all races, have proven to instill sympathy for African Americans and decrease racism. The theory has also been proven true to each one of us in our own lives--every time we get to know, and like, that person we once held prejudice toward. The truth is ignorance is the breeding ground of all hate, and the importance of learning religions is key, not just for personal benefit but for the good of the whole earth. So we must stop looing for never ending reforms of everything and look at the real problems. Lets not think in such low mechanisms of competition and comparison and be the great nation of extraordinary vision. After all, the true potential of our mind does not lie on external factors like school systems, but within us. Thus the reform needs to start within ourselves and it will be then when the crown of intilect and academia will be naturally placed upon us.
While the true causes of the true problem are outside of our good school system, our system is still not a perfect one. The defects of the system lie, not in the superficial comforts and acomodations, as reforms lean toward, but are within the core of the system--the mandatory curriculum. The issues with the curriculum are not anything new, these problems have been highlighted long ago by philosophers and men of great vision like Plato, Plotinus and later philosophers like Christopher columbus or Sir Thomas More. These men designed not only the perfect school but the perfect society that will change earth for the better-a utopia. In the utopian school the mandatory curriculum consists of; history, literacy, sciences, mathematics and religions. The importance of religious studies (the learning of all religions) is of great essence, it promotes sympathy and respect for the sacred beliefs of the fellow human. This isn't just a simple theory, this has been proven effective thru courses such as 'african american studies'. these studies, which are offered to all races, have proven to instill sympathy for African Americans and decrease racism. The theory has also been proven true to each one of us in our own lives--every time we get to know, and like, that person we once held prejudice toward. The truth is ignorance is the breeding ground of all hate, and the importance of learning religions is key, not just for personal benefit but for the good of the whole earth. So we must stop looing for never ending reforms of everything and look at the real problems. Lets not think in such low mechanisms of competition and comparison and be the great nation of extraordinary vision. After all, the true potential of our mind does not lie on external factors like school systems, but within us. Thus the reform needs to start within ourselves and it will be then when the crown of intilect and academia will be naturally placed upon us.
What do you think of this story?
Select one of the options below. Your feedback will help tell CNN producers what to do with this iReport. If you'd like, you can explain your choice in the comments below.
Be and editor! Choose an option below:
iReport welcomes a lively discussion, so comments on iReports are not pre-screened before they post. See the iReport community guidelines for details about content that is not welcome on iReport.
© 2013 Cable News Network. 
Comments