The United States’ employed educators have the methods and resources to enhance the educational process for the youth, but they choose not to use them. Instead, some choose to prejudge their students, deciding whether they are worthy of a “true” education. Evidence of this injustice has been shown throughout numerous amounts of books and films such as Dangerous Minds. The kids experience so much carnage through murder, drugs, neglect, etc. but somehow find their “light,” their “tambourine man” (Bob Dylan) through their English teacher. This strong woman fought through stubborn barriers of the school/school board and successfully changed an entire educational system.

There is a fine line between educating a student and crippling them. Some educators such as The History Teacher, a poem by Bill Collins, try “to protect [their] students’ innocence” by telling them lies. In order to successfully educate a student the instructors, administrators, parents, and school board have to unite to create a curriculum for students to seek their own truth through a subject that entertains them most. Eliminate a teacher who provide students with an answer, but do not fully explain why that answer is correct. Dismiss administrators and school board members who place a tremendous amount of pressure on teachers to complete a certain amount of material in such a short period of time; rather than worry about the content in which the child is learning.

Honestly in schools today, especially in the U.S., there are many people that are employed by the educational system who do not care. This “toxic” mentality helps to fuel the gateway for destructive influence to claim our youth. How can we expect our youth to obtain a “true” education when such detrimental influence has usurped their innocence? Because “attitude reflects leadership captain” (Remember the Titans) in order for our educational system to strive towards excellence, change has to start from the top.

The U.S. educational system has loss sight of what a “true” education is and how to successfully deliver it to the youth. The extent of a “true” education should be to have every student in a school wanting to learn—not forcing them to. If the older generations want the youth to have a “true” education where learning is taking place, then the methods and ideas being provided should be put into action; instead of slowly dissipating, remaining an idea.