U. S. Education Is a Huge Problem.

To The Editor:
I was much encouraged by the Herald’s printing of Tom Henry’s excellent article “Our Broken Educational System” as well as Publisher Art Hall’s thoughtful commentary in that same issue. However, the title of his article suggests that the problem is with our “educational system.” It’s much deeper than that. We need to look at the entire culture of learning in the U.S., and not just at our schools. Our expectations, our modes, our needs, our attitudes towards learning go into the doors of our classrooms every day. So do our attitudes towards science and math and manual labor. The U.S., as a whole, needs to re-look at and re-think the entire issue.
Right now, the discussions seem to be on teachers’ unions, tenure, school voucher/choice, funding, parental involvement, home learning environment and some others. While they are important parts, I’ve got news. Those and many more elements have to be re-thought if we are to make a world class educational “system.”
Just a few obvious examples of cultural/social components that feed into the problem are:
1. Virtually every newspaper and media outlet carries significant coverage of sports and entertainment. How much coverage do they give academics? To science? To math? Kids aren’t stupid. They get the message about what will get them recognition.
2. There is a common saying, “Those who can do, and those who can’t teach.” Given that attitude, can we expect our brighter grads to enter teaching?
3. A common picture of scientists is pointy-headed guys with glasses and pocket protectors. Is that going to encourage young people to go into materials science?
4. We call studious kids “nerds.” Need I say more?
5. We pay stock traders a quarter of a million a year. How much do we pay engineers? With manufacturing workers median income $25/hour, how many bright kids will choose manufacturing?
6. Do we expect our children to be able to do simple mathematical approximations or to know how to do simple math in a store?
7. There are endless video games to play and cable channels for kids to watch, and then we ask parents to control the amount that kids watch. How realistic is that?
8. How much social status does a machine worker in a factory get? Is becoming a tool and die maker “sexy?” Does it “get the chicks?” If not, we’re going to have a real problem finding skilled workers in manufacturing.
With all that (and much, much more) as a cultural/societal/economic background can we really expect to tinker with the educational system and get a world class economy? Maybe, but I have my doubts.
If we are going to crack this nut, and it’s a tough nut, a thorough discussion and honest appraisal of all the parts and the attitudes of our culture towards learning, as well as the education system have to be considered, from front to back, bottom to top, This is not merely a local issue, although it is local. It’s not only a state issue, although it is that. It’s also a national issue of paramount importance.
To that end, I would love to see the Herald have an open forum whereby thoughtful people could write thoughtful proposals and analyses each week. Not letters which are subject to length requirements, but half or full page analysis.
Will the Herald do it?
BRUCE ALLEN
Del Haven