Education was one of the first jewels in America's crown, which has grown significantly in content since its inception. Unfortunately, some aspects are also deteriorating. There are three differentiating theories that those who evaluate public schools adopt when articulating problems within the American public school system. Yet, whether one applies the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, or the symbolic interactionist perspective to make this observation, each agrees, theoretically, with a unifying position: American public schools are losing ground in their ability to provide a satisfactory learning outcome for each person. student who is mandated to attend. While each observer has their own unique and thought-provoking perspective, the layering of one on top of the other yields profound results that can be derived and used to guide innovative directions that can exponentially circumvent the inadequacies currently associated with the public school system. By using these three elements together to find a solution, instead of blaming one or the other, the problems inherent in the education system as it currently exists can be overcome. Without a unified and objective approach, it is likely that the system will continue to fail the population and the country will suffer cumulatively. Education was once a great and respected privilege for Americans, but, due to the widespread socialization of its guidelines and the dissuasion of its original concept of a strict academic learning environment, it has lost its effectiveness. Public school education in America today is a breeding ground for social apathy, perpetuated by a sense of entitlement that has been incubated among appeased citizens. Education in public schools...... middle of paper ......h First. Internet. March 11, 2014 Linek, Wayne M., et al. “The impact of moving from “How Teachers Teach” to “How Children Learn.” " Journal Of Educational Research 97.2 (2003): 78-89. AcademicSearch Premier. Web. April 2, 2014. Miller, N. Warren and Marie E. Lassmann "What are we teaching our students." Education.134:2 ( 2013): 167-171. Academic Research First. March 11, 2014. Umbreit, John, Kathlee L. Lane, and Carlos Dejud “Improving classroom behavior by changing task difficulty: Effects of increasing difficulty. too easy tasks." Journal Of Positive Behavior Interventions 6.1 (2004): 13-20. Academic ResearchPremier. Internet. April 3, 2014. Williams, David D. et al. "Character education in a public high school: a multi-year investigation of unified studies." Journal Of Moral Education 32.1 (2003): 3-33. Academic Search Premier. Internet. April 2. 2014.