Persuasion Speech

Topic: American Education System

Specific Purpose: Reformatting the Public School System

Thesis Statement: Dismissing Standardized Testing in public schools and creating more after school programs would help create a better learning environment.  

I. Introduction

A. Attention-Getting Step: Showcase a student.

B. Tie to Audience:

C. Credibility Material:

D. Thesis & Preview: I will go over three main points in how we can reformat the public school system. First get rid of standardized testing, then hold teachers accountable, and third create more after school programs. And as I share these points with you I hope that it will create an opportunity to open ideas to the floor on how we can present this to better help the future generations.

II. Body

A. Standardized Testing needs to be dismissed.

1. It creates a system that tells students to fit this certain mold in order to be considered    intelligent.

a. The school system is not creating ways to help students learn but creating ways on how to take test.

b. Graduation test, considered standardized testing, do not promote knowledge, skills and habits needed to be successful in college or any specific skill set. (Fairtest)

c. 6 out of 10 first year college students feel they are not ready for their postsecondary studies. Even though they may have taken college prep classes and other exit exams it does not ensure college readiness. (Higher Education)

2. The United States education system is average at best when compared to the rest of the world.

a. The United States scored below average in math and barely the average when it came to science and reading. (The Atlantic)

b. we ranked 2^nd in ignorance, 24^th in literacy, 10^th in bullied teenage females, 15^th in college graduation. (Ranking America)

c. There is a high school dropout every 26 seconds. High school dropouts commit 3 out of every 4 crimes.

B. Implement Finland’s Education System with adjustments.

1. Finland is consistently ranked as one of the top countries in the world with the best education.

2. Some of the criteria for the Finnish education system on how they differ from the United States: Little standardized testing, grades aren’t given until high school, school funding is higher in middle school, they separate into academic and vocational tracks their last 3 years of high school, broken up into learning styles, and given diagnostic testing for students so they are able to give extra help if needed.

C. Creating better learning environments.

1. With an adjusted system, I imagine more actual learning and students actually being prepared than just knowing how to cram and take test.

2. There will be very a never ending cycle of successful students throughout the US. Not enough creativity to help shape the United States of tomorrow.

III. Conclusion

A. Summary: Improving the school system helps the shape the leaders of tomorrow.

B. Tie Back to Attention-Getting Step:

C. Call for Action: