GED Essay Example: Educational Reform
Contemporary educational issues, including debates about modernizing teaching methods and curriculum standards, regularly feature as writing prompts on the GED exam. This comprehensive GED essay educational reform example shows you how to analyze opposing viewpoints, build persuasive arguments with supporting evidence, and achieve success on the RLA extended response section.
Read the prompt and task instruction below. Your task is to write a well-organized extended response of at least 300 words in 45 minutes, as shown in the Model Response that follows.
GED Essay Samples by Topics
Task Instruction
Analyze the arguments presented in the two speeches. In your response, develop an argument in which you explain how one position is better supported than the other. Incorporate relevant and specific evidence from both sources to support your argument. Remember, the better-argued position is not necessarily the position with which you agree. This task should take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Technology Integration Is Essential for Modern Education
By Marcus Thompson, Technology Education Coordinator
In recent years, American schools are failing to prepare students for the digital economy because they rely on outdated teaching methods and resist necessary technological changes. Educational reform must prioritize integrating technology into every aspect of learning to ensure students can compete in the 21st century workforce.
Current statistics reveal the urgency of this problem. The National Education Technology Plan reports that only 58% of teachers regularly use digital tools in their classrooms, despite 94% of jobs requiring some form of computer skills. Students graduating without technological literacy will struggle to find employment in virtually any career field.
Technology-enhanced learning produces measurable results. Research from Stanford University shows that students using interactive digital platforms improved their math scores by 23% compared to traditional textbook instruction. Online learning tools allow personalized education that adapts to each student’s pace and learning style, something impossible with one-size-fits-all approaches.
Furthermore, technology prepares students for collaborative work environments. Digital projects teach students to communicate across distances, share resources efficiently, and solve problems using modern tools. These skills directly translate to workplace success in fields ranging from healthcare to manufacturing.
Some argue that technology is expensive and distracts from fundamental learning, but this perspective ignores economic reality. The cost of falling behind technologically far exceeds the investment in updated systems. Countries like South Korea and Finland, which have embraced educational technology, consistently outperform the United States in international assessments.
Educational reform without technology integration leaves students unprepared for their futures. Schools must modernize immediately or continue failing the students they serve.
Back-to-Basics Approach Delivers Better Results
By Patricia Hendricks, Elementary School Principal
Educational reform efforts have created confusion and instability in schools while failing to address the fundamental problem: students lack strong foundations in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Instead of chasing technological trends, schools should return to proven methods that focus on essential academic skills.
Decades of educational experiments have produced declining results. National Assessment of Educational Progress data shows that reading and math scores have remained flat or decreased over the past twenty years, despite billions spent on reform initiatives. Meanwhile, countries that emphasize traditional instruction methods, such as Singapore and Japan, consistently rank among the world’s top performers.
Basic skills must come before advanced applications. Students cannot effectively use technology if they cannot read proficiently, write clearly, or perform mathematical calculations. A 2022 study by the Reading Foundation found that 40% of fourth-graders read below grade level, yet schools continue investing in computers instead of intensive reading instruction.
Traditional teaching methods have proven effectiveness over time. Direct instruction, structured practice, and systematic skill-building help all students master essential concepts. These approaches work particularly well for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who need clear expectations and consistent routines to succeed academically.
Additionally, constant reform creates teacher burnout and reduces instructional quality. Educators spend more time learning new programs than teaching students. Stability in curriculum and methods allows teachers to develop expertise and refine their craft, leading to better student outcomes.
Educators must focus on what works: qualified teachers, rigorous curriculum, and high expectations for all students. Educational reform should strengthen these foundations, not replace them with unproven innovations.
Model Response on GED Essay Educational Reform Topic
Educational reform is a major challenge for American schools, and both Marcus Thompson and Patricia Hendricks offer important ideas about how to improve student outcomes. Although both authors want better education, Thompson presents a stronger argument because his evidence shows that technology integration addresses current educational needs and prepares students for real-world success.
Hendricks makes valid points about the importance of basic skills and traditional teaching methods. Her concern that 40% of fourth-graders read below grade level is serious, and she’s right that students need strong foundations in reading, writing, and math. Her argument that constant changes create teacher burnout also makes sense, as stability can help educators become more effective.
Nevertheless, Thompson provides more convincing evidence that technology improves learning rather than replacing basic skills. His research showing 23% improvement in math scores with digital platforms proves that technology can actually strengthen fundamental skills instead of distracting from them. This challenges Hendricks’ assumption that schools must choose between technology and basic instruction.
Thompson also identifies a crucial reality that Hendricks overlooks: the modern job market requires technological literacy. His statistic that 94% of jobs need computer skills shows that schools cannot prepare students for success by avoiding technology. Even if students master traditional subjects, they will struggle in careers that require digital competency. Furthermore, Thompson’s argument about personalized learning shows that technology can actually help struggling readers by adapting to their individual needs.
The main contrast between these arguments is that Thompson shows how technology can enhance traditional learning, while Hendricks treats them as competing approaches. Thompson’s examples of personalized learning and collaborative skills demonstrate that technology supports rather than replaces good teaching practices.
Although Hendricks is correct that basic skills matter, Thompson proves that technology integration can strengthen these skills while preparing students for modern careers. His approach offers a more complete solution that addresses both educational foundations and future workforce needs.
(314 words)
