FRQ: Synthesis (Education System)

The American educational system was once the global leader in creating hard-working, informed citizens. The method of teaching and assessing used during the early 20th century created an easy, stream-limed, standardized way to create diligent, obedient workers. In this new century, most schools tend to follow the same types of models of teaching, and unfortunately, the USA has fallen behind other countries as far as creating hard-working, informed citizens as it once did. Instead of keeping up with new technologies, pedagogical science, and cognitive understanding, American educators have been required to keep up with the same pace the country was following nearly a century ago. This begs the question of whether or not American schools are setting their students up for success in the real world. Are students still learning what they need to learn in order to be successful adults? Do we encourage our students to think critically? Do we allow them to question the teaching and assessing methods? Do we incorporate real-world applications in our classrooms? Read the following sources carefully. Then, in an essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources for support, take a position that defends, challenges, or qualifies the claim that American schools are setting students up for success in the real world.