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Problem-solution essays are a common essay type, especially for short essays such as subject exams or IELTS . The page gives information on what they are , how to structure this type of essay, and gives an example problem-solution essay on the topic of obesity and fitness levels.
Problem-solution essays consider the problems of a particular situation, and give solutions to those problems. They are in some ways similar to cause and effect essays , especially in terms of structure (see below). Problem-solution essays are actually a sub-type of another type of essay, which has the following four components:
The 'situation' may be included in the essay prompt, in which case it will not be needed in the main body. If it is needed, it can often be included in the introduction, especially for short essays, as with the example essay below . The 'evaluation' may be included as part of the conclusion (also as in the example below), or omitted altogether, especially for short essays. For these reasons, problem-solution essays are more common than situation-problem-solution-evaluation essays (or SPSE essays).
There are two main ways to structure a problem-solution essay. These are similar to the ways to structure cause and effect essays , namely using a block or a chain structure. For the block structure, all of the problems are listed first, and all of the solutions are listed afterwards. For the chain structure, each problem is followed immediately by the solution to that problem. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while the latter ensures that any solutions you present relate directly to the problems you have given.
The two types of structure, block and chain , are shown in the diagram below. This is for a short essay, which includes the 'situation' in the introduction and 'evaluation' in the conclusion. A longer essay, for example one of around 1,000 words, with citations , would probably have these two sections as separate paragraphs in the main body.
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Below is a problem-solution essay on the topic of obesity and poor fitness . It uses the block structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also (for problems and solutions) the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the problems and solutions contained in the main body.
Consumption of processed and convenience foods and our dependence on the car have led to an increase in obesity and reduction in the fitness level of the adult population. In some countries, especially industrialized ones, the number of obese people can amount to one third of the population. This is significant as obesity and poor fitness lead to a decrease in life expectancy , and it is therefore important for individuals and governments to work together to tackle this issue and improve their citizens' diet and fitness. Obesity and poor fitness decrease life expectancy. Overweight people are more likely to have serious illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, which can result in premature death. It is well known that regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, which means that those with poor fitness levels are at an increased risk of suffering from those problems. Changes by individuals to their diet and their physical activity can increase life expectancy. There is a reliance today on the consumption of processed foods, which have a high fat and sugar content. By preparing their own foods, and consuming more fruit and vegetables, people could ensure that their diets are healthier and more balanced, which could lead to a reduction in obesity levels. In order to improve fitness levels, people could choose to walk or cycle to work or to the shops rather than taking the car. They could also choose to walk up stairs instead of taking the lift. These simple changes could lead to a significant improvement in fitness levels. Governments could also implement initiatives to improve their citizens' eating and exercise habits. This could be done through education, for example by adding classes to the curriculum about healthy diet and lifestyles. Governments could also do more to encourage their citizens to walk or cycle instead of taking the car, for instance by building more cycle lanes or increasing vehicle taxes. While some might argue that increased taxes are a negative way to solve the problem, it is no different from the high taxes imposed on cigarettes to reduce cigarette consumption. In short, obesity and poor fitness are a significant problem in modern life, leading to lower life expectancy . Individuals and governments can work together to tackle this problem and so improve diet and fitness . Of the solutions suggested, those made by individuals themselves are likely to have more impact, though it is clear that a concerted effort with the government is essential for success. With obesity levels in industrialized and industrializing countries continuing to rise, it is essential that we take action now to deal with this problem.
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Below is a checklist for the main body of an essay. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay is a essay | ||
An appropriate is used, either or | ||
The essay has a clear | ||
Each paragraph has a clear | ||
The essay has strong support (facts, reasons, examples, etc.) | ||
The conclusion includes a of the main points |
Find out about writing definitions and definition essays in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about cause & effect essays .
Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 22 January 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
Problem-solution essay is a common type of expository essay in academic writing. These essays are usually assigned to students in higher levels of education because they require effective research on the topic before providing foolproof solutions to the problems.
If you are also a student, there are possibilities that you will also get the task of writing an essay for a college/school assessment. Most probably you have gotten one and that’s why you are here we guess.
Besides, we know that researching and writing a problem and solution essay can be a head-scratcher sometimes. Moreover, students often get confused with the structure, thesis statement, and what to write in the body paragraphs of a problem solution essay. Lack of proper knowledge in writing a good problem and solution essay could result in lower credits.
However, before writing a problem solution essay, it is essential to identify the right problem that needs to be discussed in the essay. For this, you need to effectively brainstorm some of the ideas and then choose the right problems to address unless the topic is already assigned by your professors.
Now that you have effectively chosen a good topic for writing, you must go through a stepwise approach for writing an impressive problem solution essay. So, before starting to write an essay, it is essential to know what exactly is a problem-solution essay.
As the name suggests, a problem solution essay offers the solutions to a specific problem discussed in the essay. The problem solution essay intends to present either multiple solutions to a single problem or one ideal solution to the problem discussed in the essay.
In the book, Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing (2016), the author Dave Kemper defined a problem-solving essay, “This sort of essay involves argumentation in that the writer seeks to convince the reader to take a particular course of action. In explaining the problem, it may also need to persuade the reader concerning specific causes”. To understand the problem-solving essay more comprehensively, let’s have a look at some of the example topics of problem-solving essays.
To continue, as seen in the above examples, some critical social problems are addressed and effective solutions need to be presented. Problems can be complex social issues like drug abuse or environmental problems like climate change that concern the entire planet. In most problem-solution essays, the problems are peculiar and have large scale implications.
But in order to effectively present a problem and its foolproof solutions, it is necessary to follow the right structure of writing a good problem solution essay. So, let’s get started with the structure.
Giving the right structure to an essay is an important aspect of writing a good essay because the better the structure, the more easily your reader or audience can navigate through your essay. In the case of a problem or solution essay, the structure is even more important because through the right structure only, your audience would be able to understand the given problem and your provided solutions more effectively.
In the problem solution essays, the structure is quite similar to the other essays that start with an essay introduction and is followed by body paragraphs and conclusions. To simplify, the standard structure of a problem solution consists of four paragraphs in which the introduction usually starts with asking a question that reflects the main problem. Along with this, the introduction also consists of the outline and the thesis statement of the essay.
Following the introduction, as per standard structuring, there will be two body paragraphs in which one will talk about the problem while the paragraph will present the solutions. The number of paragraphs containing the problem and solution can be extended as per the desired length of the essay. In the end, the conclusion of the essay will be provided that will sum up the key arguments. Let us delve into the introduction of a problem- solution essay.
An introduction is an important aspect of an essay because through an impressive introduction only, you will be able to convince your readers to read your essay till the end. In the case of a problem-solving essay, your introduction should be engaging enough to give a clear idea to the readers about the given problem/situation and whom the problem majorly impacts.
However, while writing an introduction there are a few other important aspects that need to be taken into consideration.
The crucial aspect is that your introduction should always contain
That being said, the further sections will deliberately explain all the elements one by one to give you a clear picture of writing essays. Besides, every section will contain a sample element of the essay topic: Elaborate on some of the effective solutions to reduce poverty.
Explanation through an example will assist you in better understanding how to write each element meticulously. So, let’s move ahead without further ado.
A hook is a very first and crucial element of writing an engaging essay introduction. Its presence in the introduction of the essay will assist you in intriguing the curiosity of the reader that will encourage them to read till the end.
Besides, the hook in the introduction of a problem-solving essay could be of various types. It can be a fun fact/claim or an astonishing statistic that directly points toward the problem which will assist in grabbing the attention of the reader from the very beginning.
Besides, in the case of a problem solution essay, you can also create a hook by asking valid questions related to the problem discussed in the essay to involve your reader in your essay as well. As per our example, the sample hook is given below.
Approximately 85% of the world is currently living on less than $30 per day. More than two-thirds of the same lives on less than $10 per day. Moreover, every 10th person survives on less than $1.90 per day (Roser & Ortiz-Ospina, 2022).
After hooking the readers on interesting information, it is time to give background information about the problem.
The background information will be provided to make your readers understand the context of the essay. In the case of a problem solution essay, you will provide background information about the problem that will clearly answer a few of the given questions below.
Background information will assist the readers in understanding the urgency of the problem and will also highlight the major reason behind the need for highlighting the problem. In accordance with our example, the sample background information is given below.
Poverty is becoming a global issue and every coming day; the rich are becoming richer and the poor are becoming poorer. Hence making progress against poverty is becoming one of the most urgent goals of the globe today. People lying in the poor category often face challenges like hunger, less access to education, sanitation issues, and much poorer health.
After giving the readers the background information, it is now time to give the thesis statement of the problem solution essay.
The thesis statement refers to the brief summary of the central idea of the essay that is usually included at the end of the introduction before the outline of an essay. A thesis statement in a problem solution essay can be of two to three lines but irrespective of the length of the thesis statement, your thesis statement needs to clearly include,
Moreover, the thesis statement should naturally highlight a brief summary of the solutions that would be highlighted later in the discussion. However, the thesis statement does not need to present detailed solutions. In the case of our example of the sample essay, the thesis statement in the problem solution essay is given below.
Poverty is still a problem because it brings other problems such as malnutrition, and sanitation issues along. It also hinders the growth of developed and developing nations which directly impacts the lives of other people as well. Alleviation of poverty will ensure enhanced living standards for the people and will provide them with better growth opportunities.
Following the thesis statement, the last paragraph highlights the outline of the essay.
The outline of the essay is the last paragraph of the introduction that will deliberately guide your readers toward the main body paragraphs of the essay. In the case of a problem solution essay, it is a kind of roadmap that will further guide your readers on the given problem and solutions they will encounter in the body paragraphs of the essay respectively.
However, it is essential to note that the outline should always summarize the solutions rather than discuss them in detail.
In this essay, firstly different problems that occur from poverty will be discussed in the essay, along with some of the statistics validating the issue. Secondly, the essay will possess some of the main causes of the problem. Lastly, different solutions will be discussed in the essay that can assist in reducing global poverty.
After the meticulous explanation, comes the body paragraphs of the essay.
Body paragraphs are the cornerstone of the essay that requires the utmost research and attention to detail. There can be multiple paragraphs or even more depending upon the overall length requirement of the essay. You can choose to present the body paragraphs in two ways, block or point-by-point.
The block method in a problem solution essay refers to describing the problem first and then presenting all the required solutions. Whereas the point-by-point method in a problem-solution essay refers to presenting all the problems and solutions simultaneously rather than going through all problems and all solutions separately. In writing the body paragraph of the problem solution essay, you need to keep the 3 Es in mind which stands for explain, expand, and example.
To elaborate, in each paragraph you will start by explaining the topic sentence. This topic sentence will underline the problem or the solution that will be discussed in the paragraph. After explaining the topic sentence, you will elaborate your point by validly expanding the topic sentence and supporting the topic sentence by giving evidence (if possible).
For example, if you are describing the problem, you will use some statistics or research to validate the problem. Other than that, if you are providing a solution, you will use stats or research to validate how your given solution is the most effective remedy. Lastly, you can provide examples in the cases to explain the topic sentence more effectively.
Besides, the last line of the paragraph will be the transition sentence forming cohesion between the current paragraph and the next paragraph describing whether your next paragraph will present another aspect of the problem or will discuss the solution.
Following the example of our topic, below given is the example of a body paragraph using the chain method explaining poverty as a problem, first.Following the example of our topic, below given is the example of a body paragraph using the chain method explaining poverty as a problem, first.
Poverty is a concept that is more than about lack of income and productive resources to ensure that are required to ensure good and sustainable livelihoods. Poverty also brings along poor mental and physical effects like hunger, malnutrition, and limited access to education. Along with this, poverty also brings ensures humans depriving of basic services access which has also resulted in social, political, and economic discrimination. This burden of poverty has excluded many people and deprived them of participating in various decision-making processes. Hence, it is essential to discuss the various possible solutions and act upon them to eradicate poverty effectively.
Lastly, the conclusion is the last paragraph that will wind up your whole essay in the end. While writing the conclusion, firstly, you will restate the thesis statement. Further than that, in a problem solution essay, it is always better to conclude with an intriguing statement that leaves your reader thinking more about the problem further and makes an impactful ending.
To conclude, sometimes all it takes is a small effort from external factors to kickstart the alleviation of poverty by giving some cashflow maintenance to the people living under the poverty line. Hence, the need is to effectively understand the problem and make small changes to implement the solutions and make the world free of poverty.
To encapsulate, if you keep all the above-given tips and tricks given in the guide in mind before writing the problem-solving essay, we are sure that you will be able to write a problem-solving essay like a pro.
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A problem-solution essay presents a complicated case and brainstorms its possible solutions. Most such tasks will require you to do some preliminary research.
The structure of this writing type is different from a standard five-paragraph essay. Start with introducing the circumstances where the problem emerged. Then describe the issue and mention why its resolution is critical. After that, suggest one or several solutions (they usually take up the main body paragraphs). And conclude with an evaluation and call for action.
You can consult problem solution essay examples for free to see how other high-school and college students dealt with the assignment.
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Project management – the development of hotel x.
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Change management plan.
Business failure and its prevention.
The conflict between boston charter schools and school districts.
The asian-pacific region and australia.
Bmw entry plan into international market.
The standards of risk management.
Knowledge management: processes and technologies.
Sustainability and slums.
Limits on the social financial assistance and support, combating smoking: taxation policies vs. education policies, cryptology and data protection.
Let’s go kids camp.
Family history and substance abuse treatment.
Effective communication: presenting one’s ideas.
Picking a topic.
Think about what problem would you like to see solved. You should pick something that will be motivating to you, something that you are passionate about. Why? For one, it will make it easier for you to research and to keep yourself motivated to do the research. For another, it will make it easier for you to write on and make your paper more engaging for others to read. Your paper and the research it documents should be impactful to those who read it.
Important: make sure that you pick a problem that really has possible solutions. The same considerations apply to picking a topic for this paper as for any other -- the topic can't be too broad or too narrow, and it has to be something that can actually be researched. For more information on choosing a topic, check out this webpage on finding problem topics and useful ways to approach finding solutions to those problems .
Not sure what to research for your topic? Take the topic you have selected and turn it into a research question. For instance, if your topic is "obesity in America," you could frame that into research questions like "What are measures that prevent weight gain?" or "What are the most sustainable diets for weight loss?" (Tip: Avoid search terms like "best" or "worst" because they are very vague and subjective. Choose terms that are more specific and quantifiable in meaning.)
Still stuck on how to create a research question? Check out this video for more help:
Now that you have a research question, do some preliminary research to give you direction on breaking your problem down in to feasible solutions. Choose more specific Browse the library's databases, skim through a book, or search the web for possible information.
Keep these questions in mind as you search:
Using the research you gathered from your research question(s), create a claim indicating what solutions you plan to propose in your paper. What three solutions are you proposing to the problem? The topic you submit in your proposal cannot be changed, but the research process is still ongoing, so your solutions may change if you find better ones in your ongoing research. This is a tentative thesis; you can make some changes to it later if you need to.
Now that you have taken some time to seriously think about and research your topic, you are ready to present your trajectory/proposal (intentions) for the research project. The proposal must contain your final subject/topic for the research project.
Not sure how to put together a thesis? Watch this helpful video that breaks it down for you:
A problem-solution paper is exactly what it sounds like. First, an issue or obstacle is posed, then a solution or series of solutions is suggested to resolve that issue or obstacle.
Problem-solution essays can be structured differently depending on the nature of the topic. (For instance, if there is important historical information to your problem that is a bit too long for your intro, then you might want to spend a paragraph between your intro and your solution body paragraphs to give your audience that history.) Most essays, however, follow this basic formula:
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In composition , using a problem-solution format is a method for analyzing and writing about a topic by identifying a problem and proposing one or more solutions. A problem-solution essay is a type of argument. "This sort of essay involves argumentation in that the writer seeks to convince the reader to take a particular course of action. In explaining the problem, it may also need to persuade the reader concerning specific causes" (Dave Kemper et al., "Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing," 2016).
In many types of report writing, the thesis statement is posed front and center, in one sentence. Author Derek Soles writes about how the thesis statement in a problem-solution paper differs from a straight "report of findings" type of text:
"[One] expository mode is the problem-solution essay, topics for which are typically framed in the form of questions. Why did fourth-graders from poor families score low on a nationwide math test, and how can educators improve math education for this group? Why is Iran a threat to our national security, and how can we reduce this threat? Why did it take the Democratic Party so long to select a candidate for the 2008 presidential election, and what can the party do to make the process more efficient in the future? These essays have two parts: a full explanation of the nature of the problem, followed by an analysis of solutions and their likelihood of success."
("The Essentials of Academic Writing," 2nd ed. Wadsworth, Cengage, 2010)
Readers need additional context before you get to your thesis, but that is not to say that the thesis has to be posed as a question in the introduction:
"In a problem-solution essay, the thesis statement usually proposes the solution. Because readers must first understand the problem, the thesis statement usually comes after a description of the problem. The thesis statement does not have to give details about the solution. Instead, it summarizes the solution. It should also lead naturally to the body of the essay, preparing your reader for a discussion of how your solution would work."
(Dorothy Zemach and Lynn Stafford-Yilmaz, "Writers at Work: The Essay." Cambridge University Press, 2008)
It can be helpful to see completed examples before writing in order to examine what makes for an effective piece. See how these introductions give some context before posing the topic and lead naturally into the body paragraphs, where the evidence will be listed. You can imagine how the author has organized the rest of the piece.
"We buried my cousin last summer. He was 32 when he hanged himself from a closet coat rack in the throes of alcoholism, the fourth of my blood relatives to die prematurely from this deadly disease. If America issued drinking licenses, those four men—including my father, who died at 54 of liver failure—might be alive today."
(Mike Brake, "Needed: A License to Drink." Newsweek , March 13, 1994)
"America is suffering from overwork. Too many of us are too busy, trying to squeeze more into each day while having less to show for it. Although our growing time crunch is often portrayed as a personal dilemma, it is, in fact, a major social problem that has reached crisis proportions over the past twenty years."
(Barbara Brandt, "Whole Life Economics: Revaluing Daily Life." New Society, 1995)
"The modern-day apartment dweller is faced with a most annoying problem: paper-thin walls and sound-amplifying ceilings. To live with this problem is to live with the invasion of privacy. There is nothing more distracting than to hear your neighbors' every function. Although the source of the noise cannot be eliminated, the problem can be solved."
(Maria B. Dunn, "One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor: The Problem of Noise")
In "Passages: A Writer's Guide, " how to organize a problem-solution paper is explained:
"Though to some extent [your organization of the paper] depends on your topic, do make sure that you include the following information:
Introduction: Identify the problem in a nutshell. Explain why this is a problem, and mention who should be concerned about it.
Problem Paragraph(s): Explain the problem clearly and specifically. Demonstrate that this is not just a personal complaint, but a genuine problem that affects many people.
"Solution Paragraph(s): Offer a concrete solution to the problem, and explain why this is the best one available. You may want to point out why other possible solutions are inferior to yours. If your solution calls for a series of steps or actions to be followed, present these steps in a logical order.
"Conclusion: Reemphasize the importance of the problem and the value of your solution. Choose a problem that you have experienced and thought about—one that you have solved or are in the process of solving. Then, in the essay itself, you may use your own experience to illustrate the problem. However, don't focus all the attention on yourself and on your troubles. Instead, direct the essay at others who are experiencing a similar problem. In other words, don't write an I essay ('How I Cure the Blues'); write a you essay ('How You Can Cure the Blues')."
(Richard Nordquist, Passages: A Writer's Guide , 3rd ed. St. Martin's Press, 1995)
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The myth that education is the magic bullet to solve the problems that plague the modern world is one that is rooted in Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society, which pivoted away from economic redistribution policies towards viewing education as the panacea to income inequality. While education empowers individuals and provides them access to more opportunities, and that in this respect, it is indeed a key tool and the answer to some of the many challenges which we face today, it cannot stand alone or solve all problems. Given the complexity of the issues and its inherent flaws and limitations, education alone cannot solve all the issues within our world today.
At first glance, it appears that education can catalyse positive social change through enlightening and empowering individuals and by broadening their horizons. Through formal education, individuals gain a better understanding of the world around them and their place in the world. Besides enlightening individuals, an education can empower one to improve one’s community, or to surmount one’s unique challenges. For instance, with respect to gender inequality, studies have revealed that women in developing countries who have been educated are half as likely to undergo harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, and four times more likely to protect their daughters from it. Educated women are put in a better position to realize that they have the right to speak up and defend themselves from any abuse or harm. Besides empowering individual victims of gender inequality, education also ensures that whole communities are enlightened, and are able to solve social issues together. International efforts to combat racism and intolerance in schools have been introduced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This project, titled ‘Teaching Respect for All’ was designed to develop curriculum for use across the globe to promote tolerance and respect for all people. It is evident that education is one of the most effective ways to help individuals adopt new mindsets and perspectives, in order to efficiently solve problems.
In addition, education levels the playing field of the disadvantaged by providing them access to opportunities to improve their standard of living and overcome the problems their communities might face. It does so by equipping people with the necessary knowledge and skills which are needed to seek employment. This understanding underpins many humanitarian projects such as the Thailand Hilltribe Education Project (THEP), which provides scholarships to needy students from Thailand’s relatively impoverished hilltribes. One of their beneficiaries is a living testament to the effectiveness of education in lifting individuals out of poverty; a recipient of the THEP scholarship, Ms Kanokwan, who was born into a family of farmers, managed to attain her bachelor’s degree in English, and is now a teacher and a contributor to their sponsorship programme. Besides uplifting individuals and their families, societies which benefit from formal education seem to enjoy higher standards of living. According to the Education Transforms booklet released by the EFA Global Monitoring Report, this is because an educated populace is also a more productive populace, and productivity gains fuel economic development, which collectively raises the standard of living for a society. Hence, it can be argued that with education, people are more likely to enjoy a better life and hence, education is indeed the key to solving problems like poverty.
Yet, notwithstanding the fact that education has been effective in solving problems like discrimination and poverty, education should not be seen as a panacea to all problems. This is because there are many obstacles and aggravating factors which might limit the effectiveness of education. Education can only begin to tackle a problem if education is possible in the first place, for instance. The poor and impoverished cannot afford tuition fees, much less other learning tools and resources. Besides tangible barriers, intangible barriers include attitudinal factors: for many living in rural areas, education is sometimes seen as unnecessary or secondary, and comes at a higher opportunity cost as children are unable to help out as manual labour or farm help. A survey conducted by the child labour showed that 75% of the parents in Bangaladesh are unwilling to send their children to school because school expenses are a heavy burden. If the masses are unable to access education due to poverty and destitution, children will continue to be deprived of education, rendering it ineffective in solving problems.
In addition, there are certain problems which education would be unable to resolve alone. Although environmentalist movements like the Youth for Climate movement have been gaining traction in recent years, the United Nations noted that in 2018, carbon dioxide emissions were on the rise for the first time in four years. A report released by the United Nations Environment Programme indicates that a tipping point has already been reached in the Artic and Greenland, where permafrost has started melting more than 70 years before it was expected to. Even as Canada announces a ‘climate emergency’, its political leaders approved of a new pipeline deal for natural gas. This is because of the sheer complexity of problems like climate change and environmental degradation; most of the time, the education of consumers alone is inadequate and ineffective in halting environmental destruction that has been ongoing for decades. In such cases, strong political will and corporate-sector leadership will be more effective. Siemens, the world’s largest manufacturer, has devoted more than 100 million euros to reducing its carbon emissions by half by 2030. Morocco, for instance, has introduced – and is set to meet – ambitious goals, such as targeting to have 42% of installed electricity production capacity from renewable energy by 2020. These examples illustrate the fact that political will and leadership would be more effective in mitigating climate change, especially because domestic energy consumption forms a remarkably negligible percentage of carbon emissions. Some of the problems which we face require a multidimensional and a multi-pronged approach, in which education can only form one pillar.
Finally, education has its own inherent limitations, which may render it ineffective and even counterproductive in solving social problems. On the surface, it may seem that education is a social leveller that empowers individuals and improves lives. This, however, does not seem to hold true in increasingly stratified developed countries, where the presence of generational wealth is a critical determinant of academic success. In Singapore, which claims to uphold meritocracy, children from more affluent family backgrounds grossly outperform those who come from humbler backgrounds, primarily because affluent parents pass on advantages such as better learning resources and additional help like enrichment classes to their offspring. A research study conducted in 2016 found that nearly 41% of students in schools which offer the prestigious Integrated Programme were from families with a monthly household income of at least $10,000. Conversely, only 7% had similar backgrounds in government schools which did not offer the programme. Students in the Integrated Programme enjoy opportunities and resources which their peers in government schools do not have access to, such as leadership programmes and education and career guidance mentorship. Given that the education system ultimately feeds into the job market, particularly in Singapore, the differences in access to educational opportunities since young inevitably result in severely hampered social mobility.
In summary, education can act as a catalyst to solve problems like poverty and discrimination. However, education is not the panacea to all the problems of the modern world because of the fact that there are people who cannot afford education; because of the multi-dimensional and multi-faceted nature of today’s challenges; and the inherent limitations unique to education. Ultimately, education can make the hopeless image of our future more vibrant and colourful, but that image will still be left incomplete if other aspects of society do not reform and complement education.
To America’s resilient educators:
Take a moment to reflect on your many accomplishments during the pandemic, as well as the challenges you have faced.
You’ve supported your teams, your students, your school families and communities, all while balancing your own lives. In spite of every obstacle, you pushed through because that’s what you do. Every day.
And then, this spring, the sun seemed to shine a bit brighter. The safe and reliable vaccines that were slowing the spread of the virus forecasted a return to a normal-ish school year ahead. But COVID-19 had another plan, and its name was the Delta variant.
So here we are. And it’s complicated.
The cover of this year’s Big Ideas report from Education Week and the 10 essays inside reflect this moment and the constellation of emotions we know you’re experiencing: hope, excitement, grief, urgency, trepidation, and a deep sense of purpose.
In the report, we ask hard questions about education’s big challenges and offer some solutions. Keep scrolling for a roundup of these challenges and some new ways to think about them.
The report also includes results from an exclusive survey on educator stress, what you did well during the pandemic, and more .
Please connect with us on social media by using #K12BigIdeas or by emailing [email protected] . May the year ahead be a safe and fruitful one for you.
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Faced with so many loses stemming from the pandemic, what can be done to help teachers manage their own grief? Read more.
By overlooking the well-being of their school leaders, districts could limit how much their schools can flourish. Read more.
Educators in schools who were technologically prepared for the pandemic say the remote-learning emergency has provided new opportunities to explore better ways to connect with students and adapt instruction. Read more.
Educators know a lot more about students’ home learning environments than before the pandemic. How might schools build on that awareness and use it to improve their future work? Read more.
When school went remote, families got a better sense of what their children were learning. It’s something schools can build on, if they can make key cultural shifts. Read more.
We can’t build resilient schools until we agree on what education’s core role should be. And right now, we don’t agree. Read more.
A version of this article appeared in the September 15, 2021 edition of Education Week as Editor’s Note
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Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Corruption — The Problem of Corruption in Education and Its Solutions
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Words: 1912 |
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Published: Aug 16, 2019
Words: 1912 | Pages: 4 | 10 min read
Corruption in education, recommendations, works cited.
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Recently, all over my Instagram feed have been constant reposts of the same message: “CCSD’s (Clark County School District) phone-blocking pouches are a waste.” The Change.org’s petition can be described as a request to stop wasteful spending by CCSD on phone pouches and reallocate that funding to other causes.
The cause is a noble one. However, the change being asked for isn’t going to solve the impacts described.
As described in a breakdown of budgetary spending provided by the Nevada Department of Education for fiscal year 2024, “Funds have been budgeted to … Faraday Cell Phone Bags to support a safe and healthy learning and working environment” at a cost of slightly more than $2.5 million. This sounds like a lot, however, it’s a drop in the bucket when solving the systemic problems of CCSD.
The goal of the phone-banning petition is to take back the $2.5 million being spent on the phone pouches and redirect the money to “more important issues.”
Taking a look at the impact they hope to make, the Change.org petition mentions increasing lunch funding, improving Chromebooks, improving internet for said Chromebooks, increasing teacher pay and increasing security against bullying.
Another claim is that the school district is focused on issues that aren’t present. But let’s look at CCSD’s budgeting, what $2.5 million could do and why the phone pouches are being presented by CCSD as an attempt at an innovative solution to address low student achievement.
The school district’s budget for fiscal year 24 is $1.2 billion, with $1.1 billion already budgeted and $66 million remaining. The CCSD budget is paltry for being the fifth largest school district in the nation. The Miami-Dade School District — which serves about 330,000 students compared to the CCSD’s approximate 310,000 students — had a budget of more than $7 billion for fiscal year 23. One of the biggest issues facing our school district is chronic underfunding. If $7 billion isn’t enough to stop widespread teacher shortages spurred on by budget cuts in the Miami-Dade School District, how could our school district, of a comparable size, solve the same issues with only $2.5 million? The petition’s solution does not provide enough.
In terms of pure spending, $2.5 million won’t go far in fixing the five issues listed. The issue with lunch funding is that CCSD isn’t operating it. The funding for free meals was provided by the American Rescue Plan, which is now ending for this next year. Addressing the draining funds that will force students to once again pay for lunches can’t be done by reallocating CCSD funds but instead by lobbying the U.S. government to strengthen spending on the Hunger-Free Kids Act , not just on a state level but a national level.
The idea of spending more on Chromebooks is a misguided mentality. In fiscal year 24, CCSD has set aside $28 million toward Chromebooks . At approximately $400 per Chromebook, buying new or more expensive ones that break down less often is a bad choice. School technology, such as Chromebooks, go unreturned by students , making the extra expense of buying more high-end technology worthless.
In Chicago Public Schools, it was found that in fiscal year 2021-2022, nearly $20 million worth of electronics , specifically Chromebooks, went missing. With this being nearly one-sixth of spending allocated toward it, the school district faced an even bigger spending shortfall than before.
The issue of weak connectivity in schools is one that would cost millions to fix. Right now, CCSD spends $5.6 million on hot spots, or internet connectivity, and that extra $2.5 million on infrastructure could go a long way. However, federal officials have recently taken new steps toward to provide Internet for All in Nevada. With the funding already proposed to increase internet infrastructure, there won’t be a need to reallocate CCSD funds.
Increasing teacher pay is a highly noble cause. It is one of the best ways to incentivize increased pursuit of teaching as a career. In 2023, CCSD had 1,316 educator vacancies , leaving thousands of students without teachers. Even so, considering that there are more than 18,000 teachers in CCSD , $2.5 million won’t go very far. If allocated evenly, it would give each teacher a $138 bonus.
That is not the sort of change education advocates are asking for. The teacher pay gap is an issue that is continuing to grow throughout the United States and is systemic due to a lack of educational funding and economic mismanagement nationwide . Stating that CCSD can simply increase teacher funding is misguided because it does not have the money to do so.
Then there is the issue about providing increased security to help stop bullying. With Nevada ranking number three in bullying nationwide, taking steps to address it is an obvious priority. However, simply reallocating funding isn’t the solution.
In 2022, CCSD approved funding to add 30 police officers, an additional security measure to address bullying in the district. However, at nearly $3.5 million to hire just 30 officers, spending the extra $2.5 million to boost police count isn’t the right solution. In CCSD middle schools, violent acts are on the rise, with 1,294 students referred to The Habor for criminal violations in 2023-2024. Tempering these violent tendencies or preventing bullying can’t be done with increased security. Instead, money should be allocated to investing in community for youth. Youth workplace and work development programs are found to reduce youth violence by 35 percent to or 45 percent. The strong effects of community building are clear, we just have to invest in them.
After taking a closer look at the issues, we can see how $2.5 million would not be helpful in addressing most of them. But do phone bags solve the issue of low educational attainment? In a study from August 2016 , schools in England found that banning cell phones can have academic benefits, especially for students struggling in school. It also cites that, for the perceived benefits, banning phones is a low-cost policy that has a noticeable effect on student performance.
This study may not translate perfectly to the U.S, however, the low-cost solution it offers is one that has to be appreciated. From a policy perspective, CCSD is testing an innovative, affordable new policy that could increase educational attainment for the lowest-performing students. If it fails, then CCSD is likely to not continue the policy going forward. If it succeeds, it likely will.
As a high school student, I don’t know everything. But by taking a step back to examine what CCSD is doing, it’s clear that they are taking actions to solve the issue of low educational attainment. While the district is not addressing some issues, its lack of funding makes addressing them all nearly impossible.
To the people running the Change.org petition, I commend your efforts, as I support positive change and activism. However, bashing our school district for testing an innovative new solution is not the answer. Instead, students should work together on making positive change in the community. Rallying against our school district isn’t an answer, but fundraising for local clubs, advocating for teacher’s pay and fighting for legislation is. Steps like those can really make change.
For further reading on our education system, I recommend this article by Brookings and this report by the Learning Policy Institute on full educational reform.
Ty Tan is a sophomore attending school in Clark County School District.
The Nevada Independent welcomes informed, cogent rebuttals to opinion pieces such as this. Send them to [email protected] .
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Supporting Standards: These are the standards that are incidental—no direct instruction in this lesson, but practice of these standards occurs as a result of addressing the focus standards.
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A. Engage the Learner - (5 minutes)
A. Independent Practice: Plan a Problem-Solution Essay - (30 minutes)
A. Peer Critique: Problem-Solution Writing Planner - (10 minutes)
A. Plan Independent Problem-Solution Essay: Students work to complete their Problem-Solution Writing Planner: Research. B. Independent Research Reading: Students read for at least 20 minutes in their independent research reading text. Then they select a prompt and write a response in their independent reading journal. | – Work Time A: Students plan their own problem-solution essays, which they will write during the mid-unit assessment in the following lessons. – Work Time A: Students integrate information from different media to plan their independent problem-solution essays. – Work Time A: Students select, organize, and analyze relevant content to plan a problem-solution essay. – Work Time A: Students consider task, purpose, and audience as they plan the content of their essays. – Work Time A: With support from the teacher, students plan their problem-solution essays. – Work Time A: Students quote and paraphrase information they have gathered from multiple print and digital sources as they complete their writing planners. – Work Time A: Students interpret the information they have collected from diverse media and use it to explain how design thinking was used to solve a problem. – Closing and Assessment A: Students engage in a Peer Critique protocol to discuss their writing and offer feedback.
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Supports guided in part by CA ELD Standards 6.I.A.1, 6.I.A.4, 6.I.B.6, 6.I.B.7, 6.I.C.10, 6.I.C.11, 6.I.C.12, 6.II.A.1, 6.II.A.2, 6.II.B.5, 6.II.C.6, and 6.II.C.7.
Important Points in the Lesson Itself
Each unit in the 6-8 Language Arts Curriculum has two standards-based assessments built in, one mid-unit assessment and one end of unit assessment. The module concludes with a performance task at the end of Unit 3 to synthesize students' understanding of what they accomplished through supported, standards-based writing.
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or optional ▲. Refer to the for possible responses. | ▲. This resource offers a bank of possible answers that students can select from and support with an explanation, rather than requiring that students generate unique answers on their own. |
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I provide a clear focus and maintain the focus consistently throughout the piece." . Remind students that this is where they will record stars and stairs for their partner. , specifically "use my strengths." Remind students that because they will be working to give a critique to their partner, they will need to use their strengths. and .
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Table of contents. 1 120 Problem Solution Essay Topics List. 1.1 Environmental Issues Problem-Solution Essay Topics. 1.2 Social Problems Problem And Solution Essay Ideas. 1.3 Healthcare Challenges: Problem-Solving Essay Ideas. 1.4 Technological Advancements Ideas for a Problem Solution Essay. 1.5 Educational Concerns Problem Solution Paper Topics.
After you have chosen your topic, you can find instructions on how to develop your ideas, find a unique solution to the problem, and organize your essay in this guide to writing a problem-solving paper. 4 Parts of Problem-Solution. Describe a problem vividly. Propose a solution. Argue that the solution is practical, feasible, cost-effective ...
130 Problem Solution Essay Topics. To demonstrate your ability to create a detailed plan using learned critical thinking skills, your teacher will at some point assign you a problem solution essay. This essay requires the writer to use a reasonable and convincing tone to assure the reader that your idea is the best solution.
Problem and Solution Ideas for all Study Levels and Subjects. At times, you might only need to compose a short essay about a problem relevant to your field of study. Here are some topic ideas for various academic subjects that you can consider and choose a good, fresh idea for your homework task.
Sample Problem-Solution Essay. Ask for student volunteers to read each paragraph of the problem-solution essay on this page and the one that follows. Then review the features that are called out in the side notes. Point out the problem (underlined) as well as each topic sentence that addresses a different part of the problem and proposes a ...
A problem-solution essay that addresses economic problems is compelling precisely because everyone is eager for answers—especially college graduates. Check out these six problem-solution essay topics about economics for essay ideas. 6. Problem: Student loan debts.
Problem-solution essays consider the problems of a particular situation, and give solutions to those problems. They are in some ways similar to cause and effect essays, especially in terms of structure (see below). Problem-solution essays are actually a sub-type of another type of essay, which has the following four components: Situation. Problem.
Overview. Problem-solution essay is a common type of expository essay in academic writing. These essays are usually assigned to students in higher levels of education because they require effective research on the topic before providing foolproof solutions to the problems.
Start with introducing the circumstances where the problem emerged. Then describe the issue and mention why its resolution is critical. After that, suggest one or several solutions (they usually take up the main body paragraphs). And conclude with an evaluation and call for action. You can consult problem solution essay examples for free to see ...
A problem-solution essay is an essay that uses analysis of problems and solutions to argue a point. Here, we will focus on the specific strategies that can be used to develop a problem-solution essay.
Problem-solution essays can be structured differently depending on the nature of the topic. (For instance, if there is important historical information to your problem that is a bit too long for your intro, then you might want to spend a paragraph between your intro and your solution body paragraphs to give your audience that history.) Most ...
What a Problem-Solution Essay Is. Sometimes, students and teachers grow tired of the usual essay types, like persuasive essays, narrative essays, and informative essays. In these cases, it can be ...
A problem-solution essay is a type of argument. "This sort of essay involves argumentation in that the writer seeks to convince the reader to take a particular course of action. In explaining the problem, it may also need to persuade the reader concerning specific causes" (Dave Kemper et al., "Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing," 2016).
The absence of education is a profound and pervasive challenge with multifaceted causes and wide-ranging consequences. This essay provides an in-depth exploration of the causes of a lack of education, delving into the complexities of marginalization, poverty, financial deficits, and limited access to educational resources.
Take the topic you discussed in lesson 2 or a new topic, and using the "Solutions" list brainstorm possible solutions for that problem. You might start with solutions that have already been tried, and then move to creative solutions. 1. Divide into groups of 3-4. Assign each group a problem discussed previously or have them pick one of the ...
The problem-solution essay is an essay that describes an issue or question and then provides one or more options for resolution. Learn to write a complete problem-solution essay that has all of ...
Step 1: Think about groups that you belong to and the problems that those groups have. Make a list of groups you belong to, such as: Step 2: Make a list of problems you have encountered in some of these groups. Sometimes there is a plan for a solution, but it isn't working, or maybe the plan isn't being enforced.
Write a problem-solution essay about the innovator researched in Unit 2 and how that person applied the design thinking process and habits of character to develop a solution to a critical problem. ... Central to the EL Education curriculum is a focus on "habits of character" and social-emotional learning. Students work to become effective ...
Work Time. A. Peer Critique: Problem-Solution Essay - W.6.5 (20 minutes) B. Revise Problem-Solution Essay - W.6.2 (15 minutes) 3. Closing and Assessment. A. Review Performance Task (5 minutes) 4. Homework. A. Review Independent Research Reading Journal: Students review their journal entries in preparation for the Independent Reading Research ...
The myth that education is the magic bullet to solve the problems that plague the modern world is one that is rooted in Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society, which pivoted away from economic redistribution policies towards viewing education as the panacea to income inequality. While education empowers individuals and provides them access to more opportunities, and that in this respect, it is ...
9. Parent engagement. When school went remote, families got a better sense of what their children were learning. It's something schools can build on, if they can make key cultural shifts. Read ...
A. Analyze a Model - W.6.4 (25 minutes) Distribute and display the Model Problem-Solution Essay: "Bridges to Prosperity" or the Model Problem-Solution Essay: "Bridges to Prosperity." . Invite students to follow along, reading silently in their heads as you read the model aloud. Using a total participation technique, invite responses ...
Problem Solution Essay on Education. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Typically, the higher the level of education results in a higher amount of earnings, better health, and a longer life.
Local government framework is useful in advancing instruction and education in the nation. In neighborhood government framework the assets for instruction would be spent on a need premise by the region. Corruption in training divisions is one of the variables for the poor proficiency in the nation. A compelling checking framework is required in ...
This sounds like a lot, however, it's a drop in the bucket when solving the systemic problems of CCSD. The goal of the phone-banning petition is to take back the $2.5 million being spent on the phone pouches and redirect the money to "more important issues."
RI.6.7 - Work Time A: Students integrate information from different media to plan their independent problem-solution essays. W.6.2 - Work Time A: Students select, organize, and analyze relevant content to plan a problem-solution essay. W.6.4 - Work Time A: Students consider task, purpose, and audience as they plan the content of their essays.