This summer, I went back home to Georgia to have a relaxing summer, but instead, I was bombarded with rants from my mother and father about their day dealing with their students at school. 

My father explained to me the new schedule of seven forty-five minute classes, as opposed to the original form of four hour-and-a-half classes. He also told me how there was no longer a standardized test necessary to graduate but instead several small standardized tests at the end of each course. 

He went on to say how he enjoyed the new format because it helped cater to kids’ short attention spans and keep them from getting into trouble. I was happy that it helped raised the graduation rate, but uneasy at the same time. If these students can barely sit through an hour-long class, then how is the system preparing them for university or a job? 

I grew up in the honors system, where our recess was exchanged for more learning. I learned very early to sit in a class for hours. My public school system catered to honors students by giving them access to scholastic assistance that many other students didn’t even know was available to them. In other words, our public education system needs reform. According to a research study published by Harvard University, America shows no signs of catching up to the 24 nations that beat us in education.

America has always prided itself on being one of the best, but it is obvious that we’re not when it comes to education.

Both parties support education reform, but Republicans suggest that we try to not spend more money for education reform, while the Democratic party wants to encourage states to make room in their budget for the reform.

The problem is America has little money to spend on anything right now, cue national debt clock that Republicans have ready at any speech. However, with the little room for negotiation we have on American spending, one thing’s certain: We can’t sacrifice our youth’s education for less debt. I’m sure there’s another place we can cut our spending.