In a knowledge based global economy where your educational qualifications will invariably decide your social and economic status in life, it’s not surprising that such importance is attached to categorizing schools based on high school rankings. This is the reason why parents and students scan websites and pour through literature, searching for that dream educational institution that’s placed on the top rung of the ladder for high school rankings. In fact, better education is one of the reasons people choose to move every year, looking to build a better educational foundation for their kids. You might think that while looking for schools it’s best to base your selection on a predetermined listing for high school rankings. You might not always be right though. Here’s why.
Are High School Rankings the Only Factor?
Advocates of high school rankings argue that in a situation where the public education system in the country is in a sorry state of affairs at best, parents need tools to base their decisions on. High school rankings provide parents with that tool so they can make an informed decision. While this is true to a large extent, the fact is that these high school rankings don’t always take all factors into consideration while deciding a school’s place in the scheme of things.
For instance, schools might sometimes place lower on the high school rankings largely because of their location and student demographics. Unfortunately, schools with large minority student populations have a tougher time making it to the elite top positions in high school rankings. This is also true for schools that have large or majority African American populations. Education authorities will argue that the test scores in these schools are so dismal because the students aren’t motivated enough to succeed. Well, you wouldn’t be motivated either if you had parents who worked two jobs to support your family.
The uncomfortable truth is that in lower income communities, parents might not always have the time or resources to expend on monitoring their children’s education or motivating them. Managing to pay the bills and stay afloat takes enough energy. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that schools with larger levels of such student populations will rank lower. The quality of education or the level of effort put in by teachers (who work diligently to goad their students to rise beyond any perceived limitations) is beyond reproach. One of the major reasons why such schools constantly place low on high school rankings is because of the low motivation levels of students.
And what about the success stories of disadvantaged children from such low ranked schools who go on to enjoy successful careers? They alone are enough proof that high school rankings need not always be taken as an open and shut categorization.
By: Patricia Hawke
Posts Tagged ‘Global Economy’
China’s Economic Growth and the Property Revolution
October 21st, 2009After joining the world trade Organization in 2001, China’s economics growth is always brilliant. March of 2007 is to be remembered as the great property revolution turning point for China. China’s Authorities declared legal to protect individual property, which is a great step ahead for China’s economic growth which was based for decades on collective or public property.
Even though rural areas are under the old property legal system, the fact that the National Popular Assembly voted almost unanimously the Law of private property revolution, indicates that China is becoming more integrated into capitalism and into the Global Economy. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao regarded the property revolution as the “great jump” as a way to change from the days of instability and lack of productivity, into a new order where quality products and high levels of productivity are mandatory. The financial situation of state owned companies and the sagging contribution to employment has become a great concern for China’s central government.
Since 1978 for China’s economic growth, the government of the People’s Republic of China is reforming its economy from a Soviet style centrally planned economy, to a market oriented economy within the political framework of the Communist Party of China. China’s economic growth is helping to bring down the poverty levels, from 53% in 1981, to less than 8% nowadays. However, Chinese prosperity is still concentrated in the coastal and southern provinces, while efforts are being made to expand the prosperity to the inner provinces and the industrial northeast. Foreign trade and investment are helping increasing levels of income, consumption and productivity. The government is focusing on foreign trade as a way to promote China’s economic growth. China’s economic growth is so strong, that it is the first in the consumption of aluminum, steel, copper and coal and the second biggest consumer of oil in the world. With a cheap labor force of more than 800 millions workers, China’s economic growth potential is huge. Compared with developed countries, China lags behind in areas of science, technology, management, ecological environment protection, educational quality and organizational levels. Joining the world Trade Organization is paying off for China’s economic growth, as foreign direct investment is surging.
With China’s economy growth rates over 10%, and exports growth at a steady pace, the future is promising for the new member of the Capitalistic Club. Even though there are many countries feeling threatened by China, we have to admit that there is a new great door to opportunity being opened to industrial and trade investors around the world.
By: Tootoo.com
