Education is the key to any countries economic success. For a country to be
economically sound, the business and industry within that country must be financially
prosperous. In todays high tech world economy, businesses and industries need well
educated employees to prosper. Therefore, the deterioration of a countries educational
system should be considered a major economic problem. Between 1965 and 1980, the
performance of American students dramatically declined, the educational system fell
backwards, and it is affecting todays schools, as well as the future of the US's work
force.
During that 15 year period, US students' test scores severely dropped in comparison to
other industrial countries. After 1980, the dropping scores leveled off, and recently,
they have begun in increase. But American students must play catch-up with the rest of
the world, and todays public school system is not prepared to facilitate the major leap
forward that our educational system needs.
Before 1965, America's public school system was producing better educated students with
less money and fewer supplies than today. Each class was approximately 40% larger than
today's classes, and they functioned with about one-third of the real dollar expenditures
of present day schools. They taught with fewer books and less equipment, and did not
have any of todays audio-visual material and equipment. Then, between 1965 and 1980,
real dollar expenditures per student doubled as teacher to student ratio dropped by one
forth. Yet, with more money and fewer students per class, student achievement
deteriorated in every available measure. In 15 years, national SAT scores declined by 5
points annually. That 75 point drop has put the US behind greatly, and has left todays
students with a lot of ground to make up in order to reach other countries test score
levels.
The cause of this dramatic drop can not been attributed to any one thing. The decline
was sudden, sharp, and affected every region and socioeconomic group in the country.
Because the 60's and 70's were a time of major changes, nothing that happened in that era
can be ruled out. But a few major changes within the educational system have been linked
to the decline.
The first major change was the unionization of teachers. Before 1960, there were
virtually no teacher's unions. Then, starting in 1960, there was a large movement of
teacher's unions. By 1970, more than 50% of all teachers were members of one union or
another. Today, around 75% of teachers are unionized. Teachers strikes, which were
almost nonexistent before 1960, now seem to mark the beginning of fall. While the new
unions help to give teachers more job security, higher pay, and pension plans, they
often affected the educational process.
Another major change in the educational system was that schools began to become more
centralized. This started soon after WWII. After the wars end, there were approximately
100,000 school districts in the United States. By 1970, that number had reduced to less
that 20,000. The physical unification of school was not as important as was the
financial centralization of schools, which began in the 60's. Before the unifications,
local school boards raised about 60% of their own school funds, mostly with real estate
taxes. The bulk of the rest of the needed funds came from state government. By 1980,
though, local school boards were receiving 60% of their funds from the government and
generated only 40% of their own funds. Those schools that received increased government
funds first were some of the first to decline. This added to the theory that a schools
performance is hindered by the bureaucratic controls over them that are less responsive
to the school's and parents' concerns. As more money was coming from the government, the
teachers and parents had less of a say in how those funds were spent.
Recently, the educational system has shown improvement, and test scores are improving
as well, but it is still not enough to bring us up to international levels. US students
are playing catch-up with other countries. But many schools do not have the needed
financial support to increase the learning environment. The government support is not
available because taxes do not bring in enough to cover all of the governments needs.
This lack of school funds forces schools to lay off teachers, which increases class
sizes and puts more work on the already overworked teaching staff. Schools are also
starting pay- to-play program with their sports and school sponsored activities. Some
schools are being forced to completely eliminate art and industrial education classes.
Colleges are also affected by the shortage of funds. As government funding is cut,
colleges must raise their tuition, which makes it harder for people to afford college.
This causes a drop in college-educated workers. This drop will dramatically decrease the
economic gain of many large businesses, which will affect the nations economy.
Although schools are doing better and test scores are increasing, the rate of increase
needs to accelerate significantly.
There are a few ways to help increase our rate of recovery. One way is to increase
government funds to schools. Lack of proper financial support has surpassed drug abuse
as America's leading concern with public education. And 68% of the population say they
would be willing to pay more taxes to schools. Many, 85%, support distributing funds
more equally throughout each state by taking some of the funds from wealthier school
districts and giving it to districts with greater need. This would even out the schools
financially and allow poorer districts access to needed funds.
A second way to increase our schools progress is to dramatically alter high school
learning. Fashion high schools more like colleges. Make each class more challenging,
and extend each class period to 90 minutes instead of 45 minutes, but make classes
every-other day. While students would end up spending as much time in each class
altogether, ninety minute classes are much more productive. They allow teachers to get
more involved with each topic, and longer classes allow more time for teachers to help
students one on one.
Longer classes also allow students to have time to start homework in class.
An increase in head-start and preschool programs would help significantly as well. By
starting children in the learning process early, they learn more rapidly and perform
better in school. Although this is not a quick way to increase student skills, it is an
effective way to insure good students later.
Another way to improve students is to test them for graduation. Before any student
graduates, they must first pass a test to rate their skills in different skills. In
order to graduate, you must pass that test. Using the SAT 's would be appropriate. Have
taking the SAT 's mandatory and set a minimum to pass. If the student passes, then
he/she graduates. This would insure that everyone who graduates from high school has at
least a certain skill level.
Allowing parents to choose which school their child attends could also help increase the
effectiveness of our high schools. By allowing parents to choose, a compentiton is
formed between schools. This competition could force schools to offer improved
curriculums to attract students. Competition could streamline the educational system and
make it more effective with less money.
I believe that the best way to improve our future economy is to restructure our public
high school system. America needs to increase funding of public schools, and the school
system needs to be revamped, to better prepare students for college and the work force.
As the system is today, most high school students are not graduating with the needed
knowledge or study skills to succeed in college. Much of high school is spent goofing
around, not learning. By using college classes as a model, high schools could prepare
students more effectively, and increase the overall learning rate in public schools.
The educational collapse of the 70's and 80's has left America with a lower learning
rate and lower test scores. But with the restructuring of public teaching and the
present increase in learning and test scores, America will be on its way to being a
leader in education again. And with a well educated work force, the US economy will
continue to grow and prosper.
Bibliography
Stanley M. Elam, Lowell C. Rose, and Alec M. Gallup, "The 25th Annual Phi Delta
Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta
Kappan, October 1993, pages 137-152
William Kristol and Jay P. Lefkowitz, "Our Students, Still at Risk," New York Times, 3
May 1993, p.A-23
Sam Peltzman, "What's Behind the Decline of Public Schools?" USA Today, July 1994,
pages 22-24
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, "More than Survival" 1980
copyright by Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco, CA
Gerald W Bracey, "The Third Bracey Report on the Condition of Public Education" Phi
Delta Kappan, October 1993, pages 105-117
Jim Fox, "The Wrong Whipping Boy" Phi Delta Kappan, October 1993, pages 118-119
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