The Prussian Education System played a crucial role in establishing compulsory education by introducing laws that required children to attend school. This change was driven by the state’s desire for a more educated population to support its military and governance needs. As a result, this system laid the groundwork for similar laws in other countries, ultimately leading to widespread literacy and access to education (Prussian Education System - (History of Education) - Vocab, Definition, Explanations | Fiveable)
The Prussian system in modern American education is in dire need of a comprehensive overhaul. I would like to see it dismantled. Currently, this system fails to foster the development of creative thinkers, innovative thinkers, independent thinkers, or savants; instead, it suppresses them and engenders a class of individuals who are incapable of independent thinking. One effect of the Prussian system in American education was the emergence of a “working class,” whose role was to support the wealthy corporations without having the opportunity to fulfill the “American Dream” for themselves.
As an experienced constructivist K-6 educator at the Master’s level, I can attest to a significant educational crisis in America, caused in part by the Prussian educational system. Our students’ literacy and mathematical skills lag dangerously far behind those of other developed countries. Even worse, our graduation rates are embarrassingly low. Thus making them the perfect candidates for never achieving the “American dream.”
At that, America is in danger of not being competitive in the private sector. So, to ensure America’s competitiveness across all fields, especially technology, it is imperative that we cultivate true literacy in all forms, starting from primary school.
That being said, for starters, I suggest the following proposal (this is not an exhaustive list):
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We should remove Common Core and standardized testing, as well as the Read to Achieve initiative that significantly reduced instructional time for mathematics and language arts. Instead, it is crucial for America to embrace the effective teaching methods employed in countries like Finland.
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Adopt Japan’s highly effective “Career guidance” education strategy, which enables high school students to choose a specific career track. This approach would involve coursework and apprenticeships, ultimately equipping them with job skills upon high school graduation. Learn more here:(https://www.jil.go.jp/english/JLR/documents/2011/JLR29_mochizuki.pdf)
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It is crucial to reintroduce grammar and cursive writing in primary schools. Currently, a significant number of students from various socioeconomic backgrounds struggle with proper speaking and writing skills. This issue is exacerbated by their heavy dependence on AI grammar platforms, which may hinder their ability to develop natural language skills. Additionally, the inability to read historical documents written in cursive poses a potential danger, as it may prevent them from learning from the past and potentially repeating historical mistakes.
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We should eliminate any curriculum that promotes perverse ideologies from educational instruction.
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Institute an ethical curriculum to address the growing concern of American students displaying a lack of respect for adults and authority figures. It is crucial that we take action to prevent a potential collapse of our society.
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The implementation of a civics curriculum in K-12 is imperative so that all America students learn to respect their country and how to self govern.