Shoot this has got me thinking - if you were elected President - how would you attempt to fix things to make our country better?
I myself would-
Quit giving the rich and famous tax breaks they already have more money than sense anyways, they should pay their fair share.
Re-structure our nations healthcare system especially the pre-hospital healthcare sector by asking the NAEMT and NREMT to come up with a national scope of practice that would be implemented and raise the education requirements to that similar to Canada's. Where we would have 4 levels of pre-hospital care providers and each level will have its own education requirements for certification and licensure. Starting with the 1st Responders. All requirements will be nationwide, no longer will states have their own level of provider but each state will use its own education systems to train and educate the providers. This will help in a national certification system in which if there is ever another national crisis such as Katrina, medics and EMTs will not have to wait for the states OK to come while in-state Medics and EMTs are exhausting themselves and people lay waiting for help.
Re-vamp our national educational system - each state will have to meet a higher national standard but each state will utilize their own system and schools in educating students. IE- a national highschool graduation requirement.
What I think should be a required for highschool graduation-
1. Annual standardized testing from K-12. Each student must make an 80% or higher to be able to move to the next grade. This is not competitive testing this is testing to make sure each student has met a set standard.
2. Each pre-schooler should be prepared for school through enrichment programs that teach them their basic numbers 1-100 and their ABCs, and write their full names. Kindergarten will be used to build on that foundation such as learning to read and simple math concepts. And each kindergartener should be able to follow simple directions such as sit down and pay attention.
3. Special needs students in each county need to go to a county special needs school where they are given special attention and motivation to learn. They will be on a slightly diferent curriculum than mainstream students. They will be given a Alternative High School Diploma upon program completion.
4. Each highschool needs to offer AP courses for advanced students such as AP English, AP Math, AP Foreign language, AP History, and AP Government. These AP courses will be counted towards their HS graduation as well as their freshman year of college.
5. HS requirements-
Graduation credits will be taken from the 8th grade and higher.
8th grade year-
2 semesters of basic algebra
2 semesters of English (I & II)
2 semesters of Physical education where CPR is taught and students are certified and they must pass a physical fitness test in order to pass each semester
2 semesters of world history (I & II)
2 semesters of Home Economics (I & II) where students learn how to cook full meals this is basically a class to teach students how to survive in the real world
2 semesters of art - (History and fundamentals of art) OR music class such as choir or band.
2 semesters of computer technology (I & II)
As you have guessed there are NO electives.
9th grade year-
2 semesters of foreign language - spanish speaking students must take French or German for their foreign language.
2 semesters of physical education
2 semesters of English (III & IV)
2 semesters of Geometry (I & II)
2 semesters of American Government (I & II)
2 semesters of American History (I & II)
1 semester of health education
2 semesters of Natural Sciences (I & II)
1 semester of child care (again this is a necessity in todays world)
10th grade-
2 semesters of Physics (I & II)
2 semesters of Trigonometry (I & II)
2 semesters of foreign language (III & IV)
2 semesters of physical education
2 semesters of AP English (if applicable) alt course is remedial English
2 semesters of AP History (if applicable) alt course is study hall
11th grade
2 semesters of anatomy and physiology
2 semesters of biology
2 semesters of AP Algebra
2 semesters of physical education
2 semesters of AP English - alt is remedial English 2
2 semesters of AP Foreign languages
2 semesters of vocational classes**
12th grade
2 semesters of AP Mathematics alt is remedial algebra
2 semesters of AP english alt is remedial english
2 semesters of AP Biology alt is science related elective
2 semesters of AP Foreign Language alt is remediation in Foreign lang I & II)
2 semesters of vocational classes.**
** Available vocational electives-
EMT-Basic certification
CNA- certification
Vocational courses in welding, landscaping, engine repair, computer technologies, buisness economics, culinary, electrician, carpentry, paralegal. These vocational courses will give HS students starting skills in which they will be prepared to enter the workforce upon completion and graduation of highschool. This would drive the national unemployment rate down, and give companies incentives to keep jobs here in America.
And seniors can build on their vocational skills by attending a specialized technical school or by continuing into post secondary education.
and another thing I would do is to find ways to make healthcare affordable for 80% of US citizens, through Medicare and Medicaid reorganization, and requiring buisnesses with more than 25 employees to carry partial healthcare benefits. And companies with 100 employees or more to carry full healthcare benefits. Those who dont qualify for these may qualify for state or federal healthcare that is needs based rather than income based.
And making sure the checks and balances system in US is truly working so that no one specific branch of gov't is more powerful than the others. (Take away a few of the unnecessary Presidential powers and perks can save millions).
And reorganize the Division of Homeland Security so that is actually effective.
-CP
We can't have that. We need to lower the standards so they all can get a diploma with as little effort as possible. :glare: