by: Todd Wheatley
(c) IQ-2k   11-5-14

While the origins of "free" public education date back to the earliest colonists in the mid-1600s the idea flourished due to the vision of the Revolutionary War leaders. Nevertheless major legislation involving education did not begin until the post Civil War period and even then only at the state and local level.

Since the turn of the 20th century, however, the education system has continued to slowly evolve into the system that we know today. But problems are starting to mount. Rapid technological advancement and a polarized electorate are putting schools at risk. Yet the time for change is now. For more than 100 years the United States education system has applied a "one-size-fits-all" approach. An assembly line mentality to produce COLLEGE READY high school graduates.

Now in the aftermath of the Great Recession it's time to rethink education. The Information Age, after all, has reached maturity and must be fully embraced. Schools must adapt since the service sector vis-a-vis the Knowledge Economy has overtaken the industrial base as the largest employment segment in the United States.

Still, the Industrial Age blueprint can be clearly seen in the nations schools. "Parts" move uniformly through the system and all efforts are made to keep "the line" moving smoothly. But what do we get for our money? What's the finished product? College ready? And what does that mean?

The 13 year K-12 program in the U.S. starts "educating" children at the age of five and continues to the point of graduation. Each group, or "class", advances one "grade" per year until the requirements for graduation have been met. And again, how do those requirements relate to a tangible outcome?

While it is common for individuals to be "held back" for inadequate performance little if any accommodations are made for extraordinary performance. Even more disturbing, the advancement of underperforming students prompted the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

With no definable outcome children are being pushed through the system to keep "the line" running smoothly. Clearly it is time for the assembly line mentality to give way to customization. Students should be taught how to learn and given motivation to do so. After that they should be allowed to follow their interests without some preconceived notion of the requirements to be COLLEGE READY.

Unfortunately too many people are resistant to change while others view local control or "privatization" as a panacea. Moreover politicians in the U.S. fear public backlash or resistance from teachers unions and therefore fail to enact education modernization policies. Nevertheless I am one for action! Educators could start now with a small, but meaningful change. Trash the "English" moniker and adopt "Communications".


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