Public Education needs an Overhaul
The quality of public education should not depend on the size of a parent's wallet or the zip code in which they live, nor should children be subject to failing schools that do not meet their needs. The promise of America is the equal opportunity for anyone to be whatever they want to be with hard work, dedication, and education.
Our children should be given every opportunity to be successful, starting at the kindergarten level and going all the way up through high school by exposing them to early learning projects. Childcare and Headstart help children begin to learn at a young age, and gives them the background they need to be better prepared for the challenges of learning in school and in life.
Once children begin their elementary education, they should be in schools made stronger by reform initiatives. By graduation, students should have been exposed to the highest quality, highest motivated, and best paid teachers who have challenged them to be their best.
Our country was built on the notion of public education and its promise as the path to success. Though hard work and initiative have always played roles in individual success, for many, the most critical piece to level the playing field remains education. Schools must challenge every student to be their best daily. Public schools must be challenged to meet the needs of students. When they realize the value of their education and graduate as highly-educated and motivated people, they will contribute to our country as members of a top-notch workforce.
One advantage of public education is the economy of scale that allows the greatest number of resources to educate the greatest numbers of children. Another big advantage is the opportunity for interaction with other children from widely different backgrounds which better prepares them for society.
A failure to properly educate our children means a higher dropout rate. Dropouts are more likely to earn less money in their lifetimes, and statistically more likely to be greater burdens on society. The current administration created incentives for schools to improve with a project called "Race to the Top." The goal is to encourage innovation and to improve the workings of schools without dictating to them what must be taught. Students are also being encouraged to excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to be better prepared for ultimate entry into a higher technology workplace.
By improving schools and the public education system, we improve the chances for a higher graduation rate and increase the possibilities for our youth to take advantage of opportunities that will secure their economic future. Let’s take what is being offered in the area of education and make it work for our children.
