Losing Our Way on Education

 

Looking back on U.S. history, Americans have argued, debated, and even fought one another over many things. But one fundamental principle our country embraced almost from the very beginning was that a quality education was a civil right for every child.

 

Despite its fundamental importance to our society and way of life, we've lost our way on education. Today, everyone utters all the necessary platitudes about the importance of education, but our deeds no longer match our rhetoric. Dangerous trends have taken hold nationwide that should not only worry us but also scare us ... and even shame us.

 

High school graduation rates remain appallingly low. Only about two-thirds of all 9^th graders graduate from high school in four years--it's only half for minorities. Those students who do receive diplomas often require remedial education. Many are unprepared for postsecondary education or the modern workforce.

 

Some states have chosen to dumb down their academic standards in order to achieve the appearance of proficiency even as our international competitors have toughened theirs. Today, U.S. fourth graders rank 11^th in the world in reading; in 2001, they ranked 4^th. We are also lagging in key subjects like math and science--skills essential to succeeding in the global, high-tech economy. In 2003, U.S. 15-year-olds ranked 19^th in science and 24^th in math. We get these results despite spending more on education than practically any other country.

 

Our students spend fewer hours in class than most of our international competitors. By age 18, students in many foreign countries will have received one to three years more class time than U.S. students. Talk about a competitive disadvantage!

 

And through lax management, poor oversight, and plain apathy, we have allowed schools to mismanage funds, facilities, and professional development; to hire and retain ineffective teachers; and to forgo collecting the data necessary to measure and track results. We cannot afford to lag behind as the rest of the world races ahead. The world will not stop and wait while our students catch up.

 

Unless we restore our commitment to education excellence for all students, we will pay a terrible price. America will go from economic superpower to an also-ran. Our high standard of living will erode like sand in a pounding surf. We will lose jobs, productivity, and, eventually, hope. The social fabric that holds our nation together will begin to unravel. Our failure will be measured not only in dollars and cents but in broken dreams.

 

How do we turn the situation around? Next week, I'll discuss five guidelines for education reform that could help our children achieve their dreams while ensuring America's global competitiveness.