K to 12 (k to twelve or K-12) is an education program, that covers kindergarten (k) and 12 years of basic education. Countries which employ this program includes the United States, Canada, Australia, India, South Korea, and Iran among others. It prepares the students for technical courses, skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship. The program focuses on the life-long learning, clarification of general concepts, and basic mathematical calculations, and an important aspect of an educated student. A k-12 system comprises two additional years, compared to the traditional education system. Figures say that young adult graduating at age 18 seems better prepared to take on tertiary education. Here, we will discuss some pros and cons regarding the system.
Positive effects of k to 12:
K-12 provides numerous benefits with aspiring opportunities.
Self-development
It dominates conventional education system, as it focuses on the thinking abilities, high mental functioning through academic activities, and making self-explanatory conclusions of various concepts. The assignments given to students develop an intellectual and learning habit and become a means of revising topic taught in class. Longer educational cycle of k to 12 gives ample time to master basic academic skills and participate in co-curricular and community activities.
Enhances education quality
Teachers give individual attention to every student and make them understand all subjects. Like a conventional education system, a every student bring their books material, get notes, and submit assignments, but in addition, K-12 classes encourages students to take part in the lecture by questioning and sharing their vision on discussed topics. Students join different forums and educational clubs as per interests and improve their skills by observing everyone’s view point.
Top infrastructure
To provide students an opportunity to utilize the system in best possible way, schools employ foremost infrastructure. It motivates students to use their full potential in understanding and learning complex subjects.
Door to professional courses
This innovative education system is superior in its merits. K-12 system helps students work individually and find solutions on their own. They become self-determining, confident, and indulgent. Students start to discover their capabilities and become confident in choosing their career paths. An extra 2 years makes them matured enough to realize their capabilities. At times, students want to work along with studying in college. It enables the graduates to join the work force after the high school.
Pre-college education
The senior high school years provide prior technical or related knowledge to the students. With the k-12 system, students don’t rush to get an admission in an institution, but find the complete college information. K-12 program provides them with time to think of specific working field and choose colleges/institutions. It gives them prior knowledge of specific fields including arts, science, and commerce among others. This way, students don’t feel new to the education provided in national colleges.
Negative effects of k to 12:
For some students and regions, K-12 might prove unrewarding.
Delayed working experience
A traditional educational system constitutes 10 grades as compared to 12 in the k to twelve program. The additional years create obstacle in working earlier, which means a student starts to earn at a time succeeding few years of technical course. K-12 might prove unsuitable for the poor children, who need to give an earning hand to their parents at a young age. Also, students stay in dilemma regarding their career and keep changing courses.
Increases Inequality
In several developing nations, most education institutions and local government bodies find it difficult to afford an expensive education system. Thousands of institutions are still operating with traditional methods. This has increased inequality among the students of different regions.
Assignments load
Lots of assignments foster a burden on students that can hamper their prime focus of learning and skill development. The priority becomes completing the assignment and students might lose actual meaning of studying and taking classes. This leads to the vanishing prime aim of producing excellent human resources for the nation growth and progress, through such education systems.
K-12 system brought revolution in the Indian education system. At the time of independence, India’s literacy rate was 12% and today, it has reached 74%, owing to the effective educational system. Most of the educational institutions in India have introduced this methodology and results include improved students performance. Various governments and policymakers are working toward making their K-12 system qualitative by including digital means and professionals through trade in services. Today, the world needs high knowledgeable human resource, who can benefit in limiting the hazardous weaponry environment and rapid climate change with the advanced technology usage.
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