Abstract:

This paper examines multiple barriers to learning and some of the ways in which they combine and develop. Macro-issues include the often identified and institutionalized barriers, race, class, gender, and ethnicity. Micro-issues, include individual barriers to learning, in particular Attitudes, Diligence, Habit building and Discipline (ADHD) . Third how these two categories of barriers combine to form still more complex obstacles to learning in America is investigated. Taking a look at the role of finances and resources: America’s education budget is the largest in the world, $500 billion,, larger than some countries GDP. Is lack of money a barrier to learning? American colleges and universities have departments of Education as well as departments of Educational Psychology. Is lack of research on education contributing to continued barriers to learning in the U.S? Despite the investment of large sums of money and some of the best resources available graduation rates and performance on Mathematics, Science and Reading tests in America, lag behind other industrialized countries. Can these excellent resources configure as such a way as to form barriers to learning in America? This paper focuses on the interactions between and an analysis of, relationships between these macro- and micro- factors and offers some possible solutions.