Faith in Education, and not the Religious kind

I'm losing my faith in the educational system.  Of course, right now, I am a senior in college at a small liberal arts college, with aspirations of one day going to get a master's degree, I am from the upper middle class, I am white, and I went to a small private school in Portland Maine.  In other words, I am considered to be the stereotypical college aged kid, and I am following the system to a t, so therefore I don't really get the authority to criticize it since I am the poster child.  Fine, I accept that.  However I think my issue with the educational system has to do with everything I hear and understand about the schools that I did not attend.  I have been fortunate, unbelievably fortunate in my experiences and opportunities in this world.  However every step of the way, I look back at what I received, and then look at what those institutions are giving to the students arriving in my wake, and it is different.  Very different.  I could get into the specifics, but I love my current school and my old school and I have no interest in being critical of what I am sure were important, and difficult decisions which came from a place of much more experience than I have.  Instead I'll talk about what I received, and what I see happening these days.

When I was in school, I was given a well-rounded, reason based, education which also focused on introducing kids to athletics, music, art, performance art, as well as various cultures, races, religions, creeds, and ideas.  It's entire purpose was about a educationally hands on approach, while still allowing kids the space to utilize their knowledge to make their own discoveries and understandings about life.  Instead of being lectured at, we were brought into conversation, and the teachers were skilled in leading conversations to outcomes they intended us to arrive at.  What has changed?  On the surface, nothing.  However what brews under the surface is much more important.  I was schooled in school, I took part in extra-curricular activities, and when I was at home I was away.  What was important is that I was taught how to think, but rarely taught what to think.

I'm now taking a class at Ithaca College called "Social and Cultural Foundations of Education" and I find the class absolutely fascinating.  It comes at education from an idealistic place, so that instead of allowing pure cynicism about the faults of the educational system, it uses the negative as opportunities to create more positives.  Through the class, and different explorations of aspects of the educational system every week we hope to create a set of standards which school's could adapt to possibly better themselves.  However, I'm having trouble believing in them. 

Here is my issue:

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I would like to preface all of these statements by saying that I am the biggest fan of extra-curriculars (hell, I'm a theatre major and was a four year two sport varsity player).  However I also have an undeniable love for learning.

• Public schools seem to focus students towards extra-curricular activities and create/nurture excitement in them, rather than working to cultivate excitement towards learning.
• Public image idolizes kids who are naturally athletic, and demonizes kids who are naturally intelligent (the exception of course being the National Spelling Bee).
• Acceptance of standardized tests has allowed kids to lose a love of learning, because now there is a necessary goal of "pass the test" beyond learning for the sake of learning.
• Use of algebra as the base standard for what classes a child will take through four years of high school is unfortunate, because a predisposition against math will set a child's future back.
• Denial of equal opportunities for LGBTQ students creates a student hierarchical system which negatively impacts the teaching of acceptance to students.
• Making college a necessity for employment destroys high school diploma value.  College should be a blessing, and not a given requirement.

Now all of this being said.  I went to private school and my only knowledge of the public school system is based around friends who've been through, and outside observation.  I might be extremely wrong in all of these views.  However, what is the point of having been blessed with an amazing education at Waynflete School, if I don't use it to try and give my blessings on to others?  I have a friend who has worked in professional theatre and film for 30 years.  He has built sets professionally for national tours, regional theatres, schools, films, etc for that entire time, and his knowledge base of the entertainment industry is vast and matched by few.  He can't get a job in the technical production field as an educator or a salaried tech director because he didn't go to college.  That is unacceptable in my mind, and this is a new thing in the last 20 years.  Some would argue that the added value of college is a good thing, and I agree.  However the lack of appreciation for experience, and for those who chose not to go to college is sad, and to me shows an over dependence on the money spent by the young, which will only get worse.  Soon the Bachelor's Degree will be the new High School diploma, and then everyone will be "required" to get a Master's to get a job.

Does anyone but me see the problem here?

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