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Aaron Cook Megan Keaton English 1103 February 25th, 2013 Exploratory Essay Education is one of the most controversial topics in todays society. Everyone has their own opinion on how it should operate and how it should be administered. The readings in class give different examples of education systems as well as things that are hindering education. A common trend or argument in the readings is the unequal opportunities in schools based on social class. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 reading describes the Act that President Bush put into play soon after he was inaugurated. The law was to ensure that no child is trapped in a failing school (Adler-Kasser, 2) and improve the nations elementary and secondary education systems. After reading Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work, the NCLB is obviously not working. Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work describes schools of different social classes and how the schools, teachers, teaching and students differ (Anyon). Anyons article states that in the working class or the lower class schools, all the students did was copy down notes and study them. Nothing was ever explained to them, no reasons were ever given; it was just examples and notes (Anyon, 3-5). The only way that the NCLB is not

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leaving any child behind in these failing schools is by making the curriculum dry and easier. . (Adler-Kasser, 2). The reading On the Uses of a Liberal Education is about a journey that the author, Earl Shorris, took with his wife and recorded their progress. He enrolled adults that did have very successful backgrounds, some even homeless, in a program that studied literature. It proved to be very successful. The students performed very well in the program and some even went on to attend universities. Since the students performed well, it proved that is the school and environment that hinders a students learning and performance. Going back to the Anyon s article, the higher up the social class, the better the system was. The students in the higher level social classes participated in more hands on activities and it seemed that the teachers wanted to be there, unlike the working class school where the teachers just copied textbooks onto the board. In the affluent professional school, work is creative activity carried out independently. The students are continuously asked to express and apply ideas and concepts (Anyon, 6). In the social classes reading, it is fascinating to see the differences in the teaching styles of the schools. What causes these vast differences in the schools? There is a big difference between copying down notes and being told to study them and learning how to apply knowledge and ideas to solve a problem. Is it just the amount of funds that causes the differences in teaching styles of the schools? If so, why are the lower income schools not being funded the most by the government? It seems since these schools are struggling the most they should receive the most funding in order to compete with the more wealthy schools, not the opposite and have their funding cut because of the poor academic success. What can be done to make sure this doesnt continue to happen? How can a simple law make sure that every

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child in America has the exact same opportunities as the next no matter what their background or social status is? Its no surprise that schools in wealthier communities are better than those in poor communities, or that they better prepare their students for desirable jobs (Anyon, 1). Anyon is correct; to most this is not surprising; however, that should not be the case. These students in poor communities are more than likely the neediest students in America, and need the best education possible. Too many of our neediest children are being left behind(Adler -Kasser, 2). The NCLB Act is supposed to be stopping this and making sure this is not happening. The writers of the three readings all see a problem with the way that the education is ran as well as the equality amongst schools. But just like everything else heard in the news, everyone can see the problem but do not have a good logical alternative to what is being done.

Cook 4 Work Cited Adler-Kasser, Linda. NoChildLeftBehind.gov. No Child Left Behind Act 2001. Considering Literacy: Reading and Writing the Educational Experience. New York. Pearson Longman, 2006. 308-312 Print Anyon, Jean. Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work. Journal of Education, Vol 162, no. 1. Fall 1980 Shorris, Earl. On the Uses of a Liberal Education. Harpers Magazine. September 2007. Print. February 2013