The Buddhist education system emphasizes reverence for the mentor/teacher. Conventionally, having evolved in a monastic setting, the chief monk would be regarded by students as an enlightened soul whose guidance is sought after at each stage of learning. It would also serve the interests of students in America if they make it the norm to pay more respect to their teachers. The most prominent of contemporary Buddhist teachers, His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been an active promoter of the infusion of eastern spiritual methods into western institutions. Far from being absorbed into methods of Buddhist education, the Dalai Lama
“calls for reason, common sense, and an open mind. These qualities are badly needed in our world where fundamentalists and fanatics are hijacking religions and showing hostility toward modern science. The Dalai emphasizes to the millions of fellow Buddhists worldwide the need to take science seriously and to accept its fundamental discoveries within their worldviews. Interestingly, the Dalai Lama also invites scientists to have an open mind and not to blindly reject insights derived from ancient traditions just because we do not understand their inner workings.” (Sorkhabi, 2006, p.21)
Hence, in conclusion, an American school curriculum with key features of Buddhist educational philosophy included, is not only possible, but much wanted in our day and age. As aforementioned points clearly suggest, western educators have strong incentives for importing salient aspects of the Buddhist system within the curriculum and the classroom. They can encourage students to exhibit qualities such as non-violence, compassion, reverence (for the teacher), introspection (through meditation), etc, which are integral aspects of Buddhist culture and custom. (Sullivan, 2010, p.185)
References:
Chia, J. M. (2009). Teaching Dharma, Grooming Sangha: The Buddhist College of Singapore. SOJOURN: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia, 24(1), 122+.
Haskett, C. P. (2005). The Sound of Two Hands Clapping: The Education of a Tibetan Buddhist Monk. 192+.
Shin, R. (2010, May). Why Does the Buddha Laugh? Exploring Ethnic Visual Culture. Art Education, 63, 33+.
Sorkhabi, R. (2006, March). The Dalai Lama Converges Buddhist Thought and Modern Science. World and I, 21,.
Sullivan, B. M., Wiist, B., & Wayment, H. (2010, June). The Buddhist Health Study: Meditation on Love and Compassion as Features of Religious Practice. Cross Currents, 60, 185+.