Table of ContentsIntroductionDisciplinary ActionState Mandated ExaminationsConclusionIntroductionAmerica has always been recognized as the land of opportunity or the land of prosperity. In fact, America was founded on several revolutionary principles, including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” One of the biggest problems facing America today is its inadequate public education system. Initially, the American public education system was one of the best learning structures available. Today, however, several problems surround this country's public education system. The main problems of the American public education system are the prevailing disciplinary measures and the accuracy of state-mandated exams. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Disciplinary Action The purpose of having a code of social conduct in schools is to enable schools to minimize the number of behavioral infractions caused by students. Theoretically speaking, the use of this disciplinary system should be enough to deter students with bad dispositions. Since the genesis of the disciplinary system, the control that disciplinarians exercised over their students has faded considerably. According to the City Journal, “over the past 30 years or so, the courts and the federal government have undermined the power of educators to maintain a safe and civil school environment” (City Journal). The authority of the teacher has been destroyed over time and due to moral differences and societal influences that dictate how a school should be run. The City Journal goes on to argue that "children today are more likely than ever to attend disorderly schools, whose only responses to disorder are rigid rules and therapeutic techniques designed to manipulate student behavior, rather than to initiate them into a true civil and moral order” (City Journal). If students do not receive the appropriate disciplinary attention they need to succeed, then the authoritative agencies controlling the situation are failing in their jobs and positions. If those in charge of a situation cannot control students' inappropriate actions, then students are headed for failure and perhaps even harsher sanctions. Mandatory State Examinations One of the biggest problems facing the educational world is ensuring that students correctly learn the material they are taught. This practice is called “learning to understand.” Students must be able to truly remember and understand the information they are presented with. This form of pedagogy was initially used by early authoritative individuals. After a while, it became clear that not all students could learn the material at the same pace. Because of this awareness, the United States government established a learning standard and the amount of material a student should be able to understand at any given time. To achieve this standard, each U.S. state must require its students to take an exam to demonstrate their knowledge. According to James Popham of the Educational Leadership Society, “These days, if a school's standardized test scores are high, people think the school's staff is effective. If a school's standardized test scores are low, they view the school's staff as ineffective. In both cases, because the quality of education is measured according to poor.