Education

WomenMatter will continuously post updates on all this and other issues as we monitor the continuing philosophical and practical debates nationwide. Please check back often for updates. Past updates are available for reference on the Education Archives page.

School Daze: Current Issues in Education

The 2000 Presidential campaign spotlighted education. Soon after his inauguration, Bush promoted education reforms, emphasizing accountability of schools and teachers through annual testing of all children. Now, Iraq, national security, and the deficit seem to be the center of attention. Education is out of focus, but many of our schools and students are still in crisis.

No diploma.

High dropout rates demand attention to education. A new study conducted by Dr. Jay Greene of the Manhattan Institute reveals that dropout rates are much higher than states have reported. The national study finds that 30% of high school first years won’t make it to graduation and that 50% of all black and Latino students do not graduate.

These figures are higher than those estimated by most states. For example, Florida claims its graduation rate to be 67%; Dr. Greene finds it to be 56%, which is the lowest in the country.

The disparity can be traced to the way in which the data are calculated. Greene’s study directly compares graduation rates and dropout rates. Unlike most states, Greene does not include as graduates those students who leave school with intentions of taking the high school equivalency test.

Although states contest Dr. Greene’s findings (which are backed up by other studies), they agree that the dropout rate is way too high and that public education needs reform.

Are reforms working?

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is an attempt by President Bush and Congress to overhaul the education system. No Child Left Behind focuses on academic skills, especially reading and math; its goal is proficiency in basic skills for 100% of students by 2014. It tracks student progress in these areas through standardized testing, and penalizes schools where students fall behind.

Public school teachers and administrators claim that No Child Left Behind is unrealistic. They feel they don’t have the funding that they need from the federal government to reach such optimistic goals. Proponents of the reform movement claim that its strength is in its optimism. By requiring every child to succeed, the new laws proclaim every child valuable.

Unforeseen consequences.

Since No Child Left Behind, schools have beefed up their academics. But limited budgets have forced them to cut in other areas. Many schools are cutting PE classes, causing students to fall below minimum fitness standards. Some believe that the devaluation of physical activity in school is partially responsible for the rise in child obesity. According to the Los Angeles Times, over 15% of school-age children are obese, up 10% since 1980.

School officials remind us that there is more to learning than reading and writing. Physical education classes encourage students to make healthy lifestyle choices throughout their lives. Administrators that have cut PE classes say that the new No Child Left Behind laws have forced them to choose between academics and PE. Physical education has become a luxury along with music and art.

Important questions.

The debate over No Child Left Behind leads us to some important questions. What is the purpose of public education? Are proficient reading and math skills the only requirement for a thriving civic body?

Many feel that the purpose of public education is to create healthy, informed, critical-thinking citizens. Public education is the beginning of public life, where a child learns societal values.

Judging by recent reforms, the Bush administration and many members of Congress believe that the purpose of education is to teach basic skills. While no one argues that this is not a component of a good education, many believe that there is more to education than reading, writing, and arithmetic. What do you believe the purpose of public education to be?

Defenders of No Child Left Behind maintain that basic skills are a good place to start. In addition, a focus on reading, writing, and arithmetic are what many parents expect and want from their schools.

Legislation and standardization

Recent legislation suggests that our education system is becoming less personalized and more standardized. In addition to increased standardized testing assigned by the No Child Left Behind Act, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act seeks to discipline all children in the same way.

Right now, special education students have individualized disciplinary procedures. Current law requires teacher and parent intervention before the school administration expels a special education student. The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, which has been passed in the House, does away with parent-teacher meetings and gives administrators the power to ignore special needs when disciplining.

Many legislators have the philosophy that education will improve if we have the same expectations and consequences for all students. Are they right? This philosophy is based on the belief that increased regulation will bring about equality. From this point of view, schools fall behind due to a lack of legal standards.

Do you agree? Why do you think schools fall behind? What reforms are needed to remedy those causes? Is standardization the key?

Education wants a place on the platform.

Many Americans feel that education should not take a backseat to other issues. They cite high dropout rates as one reason for new reforms. Some feel that the reforms enacted by No Child Left Behind are sufficient, while others question the validity of standardization. Effective reform is likely to be based on a deep understanding of the purposes of public education.

To discuss the questions raised here, log on to one of our online forums. You can also read more about education, and contact your representatives.

Posted on: 9/23/2003

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