Do you feel the educational system is adequately preparing you for you’re future? What works, what does not work, and what is missing?

I have read all the previous comments and I am shocked to see that the so flattered American Educational System has no difference at all from the one in Turkey. Classes are crowded (over 40 - 50 in state schools -all free- and about 35 in private schools - these are expensive for people with average income) the quality of teachers is not satisfactorary because teachers earn only tiny enough for a simple living -just like in the USA- and because of that teaching isn't a well respected job by society and collage students. However, I think teaching is as important as engineering. Because without good teachers a well educated, self confident and clever society can not be build. Look to European countries like France, Belgium and Germany "teachers" of all levels from elementary, middle to high school are very well respected by the society and are one of the best earning class equal to doctors, engineers, lawyers etc. . If teaching as a job is respected more respectable and able will choose it as a job. It is probably your parents and government who first do not pay respect to them, and as a result you just do not care about them. I am sure the quality in education in California will show a visual development after the wage increases made lately. Dear students, first look into your society and your system of values. I know "MONEY" is in first places. Everything you respect depends on money (like salary, house, car, furniture, trendy and smart garments, good phisical appearance...) . You should first look into the mind and philosophy of your teachers. I do agree that those who do not teach should be taken away. But, in such cases you should prepare in advance and in class you can ask plenty of questions. I know from my students that it is easy for them to blame the teacher while they give no effort for learning.
an English teacher from far away

Ok, I'd say in my town, for the average student I don't believe that the education system is good enough. I live in New Jersey. I believe this because I don't like the fact that some of my teachers don't teach. This year I took accelrated cp Biology. In biology, you are suposed to do experiments but this year we did not do one experiment. The whole year, he never got up to write anything on the board. He was like a big baby sitter. I had to teach myself and I'm the only one in the class who got an A. I think our country needs to raise its standards for teachers. How could anyone get away without doing their job. I'm pissed off about that. There are some students who actually need that teacher to tech. They should have students evaluate the teachers. Not all teacher are bad, don't get me wrong, just some are bad. I'm sick of it.This Biology teacher teaches in Willingboro NJ at the public high school. His name is Mr. Moore. He needs to be fired! I'm pissed cause he did not teach all year! People need to know this.
Aqua_Girl

CHANGE THE STUPID POLL!!!!!!!
FRUSTRATED

I think that the educational system sucks. High school's are way too over crowded therfor there is no focus on the individual student. This makes it very difficult for many people to learn because of the lack of individual attention and focus on that persons problems. There is a major lack of acutal preperation for the future of the students, in most cases they leave high school completely unprepared for what lies ahead of them in college. The same goes for middle school students going into high school, for the first 8 years of school no matter what they do they are passed on to the next grade and not much of what they do academically really matters, then they get thrown into over crowded, unpersoal teaching styles, and a place where in many cases one mistake can ruin everything for you.They are not prepared for this which is the cause for so many students being in high school for 5 years, or attending summer school every year adn thigns such as that.
me

I don't go to school. Yup, me and mah doggie, Diggeriedoo, have all the smarts we need right here, *Taps head* don't need no newfangled "Collage Degree" to work at Mcdonalds. Ah-yuk.
Bad Adviceman

I think in middle school the electives help you with the future. The other stuff helps with the eletives but they are also teaching use abunch of stuff that I know we won't need in the future. Like History. Come on. How many people know when George Washington was born. Also more than half the things that we learn, we end up forgeting when the next year comes and we still get good grades.
Priscilla

No, the educational system focuses too much on things that we are never going to need for a job. I think high school should be more career oriented. Also, I think that we are in school for too long. It would be better if we could graduate at about age 16 and then go on to college or more career prep. High school can be a zoo. The social life is so distracting that it can be hard to learn. Too many stupid tests that require us to regurgitate the same old material without teaching real thinking skills.
Carrie

. . .It blows! Nuff said! . . .K-8th grade they just pass you one bad grade good grades it doesnt matter... So then when you hit highschool you feel like a dumbass because you never learned anything the years before... I dont know about alot of people... But I went to a small school before going to highschool... And they truely didnt care how any of the kids were getting along with their school work... You learn the same things over and over again every year... Its sickening... In turn most of the kids that go to these small schools drop out... Because when they get to highschool they feel as though they were not smart enough... And would never make it through... Its a sad thing and something should be done!
Grace

I think it's ridiculous. We learn so many things that we'll never need to know. They just want to put more pressure on us and make our lives more complicated, and sure is working. LET US BE TEENAGERS. Stop trying to make us grow up so fast. I know our parents generation didn't have this much pressure put on them.
Casey