The American education system has been a vital part of the development of generations since it became a public system in the 1870s. Since then, more rules, higher expectations for some and even lower expectations for others were added to the original structure. In recent years, much debate has surfaced about whether the American education system is failing. Too few believe the American education system is on the right track. Most researchers, however, have shown statistics that this rate slowly declines as new procedures and diets are added. Lack of government funding, laws such as the No Child Left Behind Act, focus on the wrong places, and curricula are a deterrent to success. The American education system is failing, it benefits everyone except the student. The Department of Education and the NEA are partnering with psychologists, textbook publishers and social workers in what they call improving the educational programs offered. Records show that these places benefited from this alliance by receiving enriched offers and even more political powers (Haugen 25-26). The country is ignoring the root of the problem, the corrupt curriculum structure and the new reform of teaching students for menial jobs is taking over (Haugen 24-25). The factors causing this problem can be corrected, is the question advanced enough to be corrected? The use of standardized tests has led to diminished student motivation, a completely inaccurate way to gauge a district's success, and a curriculum focused heavily on just a few topics. Looking at the research, we can see that testing reduces children's intrinsic motivation to learn (...... middle of article ......e-negative-aspects-of-school-education -United States>. Haugen, David M. and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2009. Hudson, David L. Educational Standards New York: Chelsea, 2007. 2013: 105-16. MasterFILE Main Edition. January 31, 2014. Neill, Monty. “Leaving Children Behind: How No Child Left Behind Will Fail Our Children.” Main Edition. Web. January 31, 2014. Ryan, Julia. “American Schools Against the World: Expensive, Unequal, Bad at Mathematics.”. 2014. .