Education and Youth

In 2002 No Child Left Behind Act was signed by President George W. Bush Jr. This education act became the road map for education which focused on improving academic performance in reading and math. It is considered a one size fit all which does not allow for flexibility and creativity in the classroom.

In this 21st century education should be more relaxing and exciting for our youth, instead it has become a challenge whereas youth are being challenged with stress to learn only to pass a test and not to learn for development.

Connecting Youth and Education

Many educators believe that if we do not improve the connection of youth and education, we will see more of an increase in youth not completing high school and receiving their high school diploma.

Advocates for youth reports education helps young people prepare for adulthood. Learning occurs more intensely during childhood and adolescence than during any other phase of the life cycle. Education involved the development of physical or cognitive skills, , the acquisition of knowledge and the shaping of values, attitudes and beliefs (www.advocatesforyouth.org).

Parents and their Children’s Education

Children are born into a social system and society. They become an integral part of a full social system for which they are the beneficiaries and grow up to be benefactors or malefactors. Children are born into a family or are the mere products of their parent’s procreative efforts and gift to society (Wilson, 1992, p. 94). Helping children in America achieve includes parental support and involvement. Parent education is necessary to help promote successful academic achievement for American children. Working with parents requires the creation of parent education programs to help enhance the mother and father self-esteem which is critical in the process of normalizing or increasing the children personal development (Wilson 1992, p. 81). When parents feel good about themselves and culture, this is reflected in the self-esteem of the child. A good parent education program will encourage maternal and fraternal involvement, counseling and training.

Closing the academic achievement gap for American youth is a difficult problem to solve, but it can be solved. Parents should be active and share the responsibility in the education of their child. According to Williams a veteran special education teacher, parents should get to know the names of all their children’s teachers. This shows not only an interest in the child’s study, but also that the teacher is a human