Professional Influences in Education
Various professional groups have an influence over the education system. Some work for the schools directly, while others operate outside the school system and have indirect influences. In general, most groups focus on finding ways to improve student achievement and school performances, though these organizations have varying opinions about what will most strongly foster such achievements.
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Politicians
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Politicians have sought to improve academic standards in response to opinion polls that indicate that the public is mostly concerned about academic standards. At the federal level, students are often mandated to pass standardized tests and the school funding is often based on the performance of the school. Voters are not always fully informed about various issues and end up voting for candidates that do not necessarily have good educational policies, according to the National Academies Press.
Businesses
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Business leaders have had influence over the education system, since these leaders often see education as the key to healthy economic growth. These professionals have encouraged initiatives designed to increase accountability within the schools. Corporations fear that schools will not produce workers who can contribute to a more successful workplace.
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Specific Industries
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Some industries by their nature need students with particular skill sets. For example, pharmaceutical companies need students who excel at science. These companies often provide funding for programs that help students further master science. Engineering companies have sought talented minorities and seek to fund them through their educations.
Culture
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Culture has an influence on education. When students feel that education is highly valued by culture as a whole, they tend to pursue education more eagerly. However, the media can influence attitudes toward education. Media portrayals cause students to associate academic achievement with loneliness, isolation and depression. The media also reinforces populist anti-elitism, religious anti-rationalism and the need to only use intelligence to solve problems rather than having academic achievement for its own sake, according to a 2004 article by Dane S. Claussen, "Anti-Intellectualism in American Media: Magazines and Higher Education."
Teachers' Unions
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Teachers' unions have primarily focused on raising teacher salaries, which can increase the number of applicants for teaching positions and improve the overall quality of the schools. Some unions have also focused on school reform both due to pressures placed on the unions by new members and also by a desire to improve the union's image. The unions have often demanded that schools provide more professional development for teachers, allowing them to develop more skills that will make them more effective in the classroom.
School Board
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School boards have control over budgetary decisions made by the school. They are responsible for making decisions intended to increase student literacy. They formulate plans designed to increase school safety. They play a major role in determining the curriculum of the school. They are also responsible for creating initiatives designed to foster staff development.
Education Departments
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State education departments control education in various ways, including the establishment of standards that teachers must then follow. These standards are specific curriculum that students learn in the classroom.
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References
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