Reflection 20

In the 1800`s public high schools were developed and were described to be an alternative from private academies of the 18th century. High schools in the European and in the U.S times shared the same focus; which was to build a curriculum to prep students up for college classes. However, European high schools were more focused on their goals, from having longer hours of rigourous and challenging work then U.S high schools. U.S high schools are more interested in the outcome of how the nation is going to be benefited from one educated person. The commonality of children attending high school was more common than in Europe because Europeans would send their children to higher paying private schools. However it shows how the U.S falls short in the democratic principles in school. When comparing European and U.S high schools. The principles of Europe are to have students achieve their highest potential and without much technicality, for example, the testing that the U.S has adopted. High school became demanding and more popular to children who wanted to be prepared. Parents saw this as an opportunity for their children to be more educated then themselves. In Europe, they would categorize and segregate the groups of vocational and actual educational or academic classes. In America, its more as one institute for one thinking. Again, that’s a way that U.S has a downfall because Europe had two separate categories for students to achieve something, even if it was to train for a job or actual learning of philosophy and skills. To be in the European schools, a student must be motivated and knowledgeable for him or herself. In America, most students are forced and dragged by parents or by the government itself. Many people thought students would benefit more to be thrown in high school and to try to learn skills for a job or college. Considering school was inexpensive and relatively a chance for opportunity, however, the system doesn’t copare to Europe`s disciplined ways. To have students chose to be in job or continue higher thinking is a choice that helps balance Europe`s democratic principles in school.