Public Education - Can We Pass the Test?
Since Promise the Children’s recent decision to take on the issue of public education as our #1 priority I have read and watched a plethora of books, articles and movies diagnosing the dilemma of the US public school system.
Memories of my own experience as a mother of two; one a born academic who graduated with honors – the other an artistic soul who barely made it out of high school, come rushing back to further add more questions then answers about the best way to approach this issue of reforming the US school system.
Promise the Children is reaching out to congregations and communities to carry on a discussion about our commitment to public education. We are looking at what we as citizens who believe in the need to safeguard the growth and dignity of all children can do to close the widening achievement gap in our schools.
Where do we start?
Teachers are taking the heat. Standardized assessment is creating a “teach to the test” mentality but giving valuable information about trends. Charter schools are perceived as a threat to democratically controlled public education but in many cities and towns they are providing a high quality educational experience for kids who may otherwise get lost in the system.
Public schools are being asked to take on more than education as children show up to school from families struggling to find work, homes in foreclosure, with little hope left to pass on to their kids. Funding for education is on the chopping block as the economic downturn is bankrupting cities and states.
Our standing in the world in educational excellence has slipped precipitously. Can we compete globally if our schools are failing so many? Can we support a democracy when so many of our citizens don’t read world events? How do we support a well-rounded educational system that can ready young people for the challenges of the 21st century? Are we willing to live with a drop out rate of 60% in some school districts – with an achievement gap that is widening.
My own experience as a mother leads me to believe that there are no cookie cutter answers.Children are all ways. Some of the arguments are so polarized its hard to sort out the fact from the fiction.
Please join us as we take on these questions. Your feedback on Promise the Children’s blog would be greatly appreciated.. Any suggestions about blogs, websites, books or advocacy happening on education is appreciated and encouraged.
A few Events, Material, & Links.
On March 27th Promise the Children will show Children Left Behind in Swampscott Massachusetts followed by a discussion.Documentary_Screening.pdf If you live nearby, please plan to attend. If you would like to start a discussion in your church as part of this effort please contact us at (978) 910-0190.
The Atlantic, The Littlest School House.
Waiting for Superman – the movie
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