Traditional schools provide teachers who can instruct students in a number of disciplines.
The traditional educational model has been widely accepted in the United States for generations. However, it has drawbacks alongside its advantages, and may not even be necessary for all students. Abraham Lincoln, former president of the United States, only had 50 weeks of traditional schooling, but was considered highly educated. His writings and success point to an individual who was highly educated -- just not in a traditional manner. In an ideal world, education would be tailored to a child's individual needs, whether traditional or not. Both sides of the issue bear examination.
Advantage: Everyone Has the Opportunity to Receive an Education
Not every child has parents who are able to offer her a nontraditional education such as homeschooling or enrollment in an alternative educational environment, such as small schools targeted towards the arts, for example. Traditional education in the United States includes public schools, which are free of charge for every student. Without the opportunities offered by these schools, many children would likely be unable to read or perform even basic math calculations. The goal of traditional education is to ensure that all children have the same educational opportunities, although in reality, this may not always be the case.
Advantage: Offer a Wide Range of Opportunities
The large number of students who attend traditional schools ensure that the schools receive large amounts of funding, either through taxes or tuition. The result is that many schools are able to offer a wide range of both academic and extracurricular activities at no or little cost to the student. Many traditional schools employ a large number of teachers in areas ranging from chemistry to art. Traditional schools also offer extracurricular programs, often including swimming, football and academic clubs. Smaller nontraditional schools or homeschools often must struggle to get these same opportunities for their students.
Disadvantage: One Size Does Not Fit All
Traditional education expects students to learn skills at the same rate. While one student may be ready to read at age five or earlier, another may not show the same readiness until he is eight. While both students have the ability to learn and will eventually be readers, traditional education does not recognize this. Students who are quick learners often become bored or disruptive, while students who are less quick to assimilate information are labeled as learning-disabled. The result is often that both learners are unable to meet their full potential.
Disadvantage: Social Problems Are Condensed Into a Small Space
It is not uncommon to find schools with more than 1,000 students enrolled. The average enrollment for a middle school in Nevada as of 2009 is 996 students, according to a report prepared by Education Information and Accountability Services. One of the results of high enrollment is that schools become areas with high concentrations of crime. Theft, assault and drugs are commonplace in many schools today. Rape and murder, along with gang violence and intimidation, are also not unheard of in some schools. Behavior problems such as defiance, rudeness and bullying take on gargantuan proportions in a classroom where a teacher is attempting to instruct 30 or more students. Effective academic learning simply cannot occur in such an environment.
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