Education Reform (Part I)

Education is our Future

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago, and second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

Our future depends on the actions of our present.  Education reform is the single greatest problem facing America.  More so than the deficit, unemployment, and the economy because all of these issues would not also be as dire if only we had reformed our educational system 20 years ago.  I attended 10 schools from 1st to 12th grade and 3 colleges.  I have personally seen the full spectrum of the American educational system.  I went to some of the absolutely worst schools in terms of test scores and violence, as well as the best of private institutions.  Suffice it to say, I have seen firsthand many of the problems we are struggling with. 

The current educational system is ripe with calamity.  It is underfunded, underappreciated, and above all misunderstood.  The biggest problem with the biggest problem our nation faces is the scope and magnitude of the importance of education is terribly misunderstood.  As with every dilemma, improvement cannot begin until the root of the issue is recognized and understood. 

Problems with Education: 

- Spending / underfunded

- Bad Teachers / schools

- Teacher compensation

- Lack of training

- Teacher Unions (I know what you’re thinking, trust me)

- Culture

As with many other sectors America needs to stop fooling itself with the “we’re # 1!” attitude.  Yes, we were #1 and for a long time, but that is by no means the case today. 

The U.S. is currently ranked:

Reading:            17th

Math:                   31st

Science:             23rd

At least we’re top 20 in reading, but we’re still behind most of Asia and Europe in all three areas.  The United States is 16^th in producing college graduates, while only a generation ago we were number one in world.  Fifteen countries have surpassed us.  Our educational standing is direct correlation with our falling international competitive standings.  The only way to increase our global competitiveness is to have a work force that is well versed in the industries that will drive the economy in the 21^st century.  While no one can say for sure what those industries will be they will most likely stem from current technological progression.  In short if the children of this generation aren’t doing well in math and sciences, they will not do well in the jobs of the future and only further this increasing negative trend of falling employment opportunities.  Our economy and quality of life will only worsen with poor education systems.  According to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, “We don’t have the educated work force we need… there are two million jobs available that no one can do.”  We have to educate our way to a better economy.