“Demographics are a set of characteristics used to describe or define the members of a population. Common demographic factors include age, gender, and ethnicity.” (Encyclopedia of Health Care Management, 2004) Demographics help us to know important community information so we can be better prepared. This can often times influence educational philosophies of school systems because we need to be aware of how many children of each age are in our town, so we can be prepared with enough teachers and faculty to accommodate them.
Culture influences the educational philosophies of school children because it is an integrated part of American Culture. America is a melting pot of different cultures, offering many different languages, cultures, and religions. This often affects the views on important issues such family, education, and politics. Each culture has traditions, and the education system is responsible for acknowledging those traditions but also providing a quality education. “The relationship between educational achievement and culture is also shown in research in the United States. Cross-ethnic comparisons of educational achievement have shown that Asian American students outperform European American students, who in turn outperform African American and Hispanic American students.” (Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology, 2004) Based on these statistics, state officials need to build their specific educational philosophy’s within that consensus in mind to ensure each child’s academic success.
Politics can greatly affect and even change educational philosophies. For example, the “Race to the Top” bill for educational funding and development from the United States Government. “This program recognizes that after a child walks through the school house doors, no single factor influences that student’s success more than the quality of his or her teachers.” (NJ Board of Education, 2010) States are rewriting educational philosophies to earn funding to implement new strategies to improve the United States’ Education System based on these programs’ requirements. One prime example is New Jersey Commissioner Schundler who stated, “These reforms are the beginning, not the end to improving New Jersey’s education system. This bold reform agenda will continue regardless of whether we receive federal funding. It is critical that we continue to implement good ideas, regardless of special interests, if are going to improve the quality of education we provide our children.” (NJ Board of Education, 2010) Whatever effects this may have in New Jersey or any other states proves that politics can move the education system in various directions.
Sources:
Educational Achievement and Culture. (2004). In Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/estappliedpsyc/educational_achievement_and_culture
NJ Board of Education. (2010). State of New Jersey. Retrieved from http://www.nj.gov/education/news/2010/0601rttt.htm