10 Changes that Primary Schools Should Implement

*7-Minute Read*

My high school graduation. (Photo Credit: My Mom)

I should begin this with a disclaimer, especially because of the many teachers, school administrators, and education majors who may read this. I am, in no way, an educational professional. I know that many things cannot be changed without the approval of multiple people, and there may be some cons behind my suggestions that I'm unaware of. I'm simply writing this from my own experience, which was an overall excellent one that I'm very grateful for. But, hey, nothing and no one is perfect, right?

So, here's some opinions from a non-expert but also a former elementary, middle, and high school student:

1) Fine the family if the parents and/or their child disobey any policies.

In some of my classes, there would be that one kid who would disrupt the learning process as a whole. He'd/she'd be talking with everyone around (or even not around) him/her. Or arguing with the teacher. Or walking out of the classroom, noisily and without permission. And I know that parents can also break school rules, usually by going overboard while defending their child. But, especially if it's a parent's fault, you can't expect all the discipline to occur at the home. So the key is to figure out what everyone hates to do and make them do it. I think having to hack up a wad of cash for something that the payer doesn't want and/or need falls in that category. Call it the disobedience tax if you must. I bet most (if not all) that naughty behavior will forever cease. (An Aside: I understand that for lower income families, there should be a different solution.) 

2) Get rid of out-of-school suspensions.

The only productivity of an out-of-school suspension is when the parent becomes a disciplinarian, making the day (or several) miserably boring for his/her child. But, as I just said, you can't expect discipline to occur at home. Plus, school is a less desirable place to be for many youngsters than their homes. Make them come to school at that awfully early time in the morning, miss their extra-curricular activities, and have them sit in a classroom until they're practically begging to go back to that class they loathe so much.

3) Require students to take at least one business class.

I'm biased, because I'm a business minor. And my brother is a business major. And my parents are both business owners. But everyone could use some business knowledge. If you're not working for some sort of corporation, you're probably running your own. And yes, there are professionals to help you out, but that costs money, takes time, and requires you to trust those people. Requiring students to take an intro course or two could at least help them spot shady business practices. And offering the courses is not enough; you have to make those stubborn teenagers do what's best in the long run.

4) Include more writing-based discussion in English classes.

Another bias from me here; I have a BA in Writing. It's similar to English but, unsurprisingly, English focuses more on the literature side of the subject and writing more on the composition. And we all know that many middle and high school classes include discussions about a book the entire class is supposed to be reading. And most questions are along the lines of "What is the theme of the chapter?" or "Why are the curtains blue?" And there's nothing really wrong with them. We all need to know how to read between the lines. But what about asking students what they liked or disliked about the author's writing style? Or why the author told this story in first person and not third? Or why the story jumps through different time periods instead of staying in the year 3000? Developing your own opinions to these questions (as well as hearing the opinions of others) help develop you as a writer. So, I think there should be more of an equal balance between talking about what lies in between the lines and about the lines themselves.

5) Don't assign books for students to read that they can't decipher. 

Now, I'm not saying that kids need nothing but easy reads. We'll grow up to read and write heavily worded paperwork that is much more boring to read, i.e., case studies and lab reports. What I am saying is that if all the kids in the class are depending on SparkNotes, not out of laziness but out of understanding, it's too difficult. I, at least, don't suddenly have an "aha" moment where something I'm reading begins to make sense. Learning to read text in Old English or one with more advanced vocabulary takes a longer amount of time than six or nine weeks. Either introduce that style of writing before assigning chapters to read or give students something they'll actually understand. 

6) Get rid of summer reading.  

Firstly, summer is supposed to be a break from school. Secondly, it is only productive for about 1/4 or 1/2 of all students. You see, there are four groups here. Group 1 is conscientious students who enjoy reading. Group 2 is non-conscientious students who enjoy reading. Group 3 is conscientious students who don't enjoy reading. And group 4 is non-conscientious students who don't enjoy reading. Summer reading may benefit those in groups 2 and 3. But, it is purely punitive for group 1 (by mixing work in with pleasure) and makes no difference for group 4 (as they probably won't even do the assignment). 

7) Require students to take world history.

History is paramount. We learn about mistakes so that we don't repeat them. And learning about only America's past isn't enough; we are a homogenous society and other countries' actions can affect us. Plus, if you live in Louisiana, you have to take this course in order to qualify for the TOPS scholarship (covers tuition cost at any public university in the state). It was the only course my high school didn't require that TOPS did require (at least when I was enrolled there), which never made sense to me.

8) Encourage students to take foreign language classes in their later years.

My foreign language course timeline was a little odd. I took Spanish once a week in elementary school. In middle school, I didn't take it at all. If I wanted to be in choir, I had to surrender Spanish (though my alma mater has since changed this). So, there was already a gap in my education there when I reached high school. I decided to wait until sophomore year before taking Spanish again, so I took only one honors course (Spanish III), didn't have to go through the AP class (Spanish IV), and eased right into in college. I was able to skip the freshman-level Spanish classes and get credit for them. Not everyone has a foreign language requirement in college but, in case you do and don't want to take a foreign language all your high school years, wait until later. 

9) Don't require students on athletic teams to take physical education classes. 

Imma be honest. We hardly did any activities in the two years I was required to take physical education. So, if your school is the same, there are more productive classes that you could be taking during that time. If your PE class is loaded with games, then the problem is repetitiveness. Kids on athletic teams already do those sorts of exercises after school. There is a higher chance of both fatigue and injuries. 

10) Further individualize the curriculum. 

Seemingly, I was one of few to change his/her major in college. I was lucky for knowing what I wanted to do and being decent at it. So many young adults think they know what they want to be, start the curriculum, and hate it and/or realize they're no good at it. Others go in undecided; they don't even know what their interests are. If more high schools allowed students to be a science major, study on the business track, specialize in fine arts, etc., I think less self-discovery would have to occur at ages 18 and over.

Again, please remember these are my opinions. I'm no pro, just someone who's been through this whole school thing.

- Liv