forward to the future . We need to ask important questions like why do these
stastitics exist, and how can we change them for a better future? In an
attempt to answer these questions I would like to share two elements on
educaiton that was recently discussed.
First on September 8, 1992
popular comedian Sinbad hosted, "Back to School 92 . Several well
known entertainers acted as facilitators, talking to young people, and
discussing their feelings about school. I he program was intended as a
wake up call to America to listen to our children, and take a real look at the
declining interest young people have in education. One of the key factors
that most youth expressed was that school was boring and uninteresting.
Students expressed how they wanted more from their teachers, that would
excite them about school. I low does a teacher in todays society, excite, and
motivate students to the point where they want to learn? Who is respon­
sible for the learning process? The answer is every one is responsible;
teachers, students, parents, administrators, community leaders, churches,
businesses, and government. It is unfair to blame the educational process
on any one single group. A child eitheir becomes an asset to society or a
burden. This makes everyone accountable. These children are our future.
This is an American problem.
The second element on education I would like to share with you is
a symposium that was held in Portland, Oregon in August of 1991.
Attending the symposium was five international authorities on education
from: Canda, China, United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. Along with
them were seventeen top U.S. School administrators, and forty-seven of
Oregon’s best teachers and administrators. The goal of the symposium
was to attain valuable information from these international authorities to
aid U.S. educators develop a “Blueprint for Change.
Hon H erndon said it best,
AM ERICA’S
Y iH T II
Together lie Can
M ake a Difference
e felt the best thing to do
was to bring together some of the best talent from
around the world-international educators who had
children perform exquistely - to learn from them and
find out what they do and how they do it and ask
American educators to translate that into a plan that
will work in this country ." (Ron I lem don, Executive
Director, The National Association for Schools of
Excellence.)
The international authorities shared what they have done to pre­
B y W anda W ashington
pare young people for productive adulthood, and identified changes our
W hat will the world be like for America’s youth twenty years from
educational system must make to become more productive. There were
now? \\ ill they live in a world class country’ that generates opportunities to
eight areas that were identified: (1). School Structure (2). Curriculum (3).
attain the “ American D ream ”. A home, strong families, and quality of life.
Assessment (4). Parental Involvement (5). Businesses and School Partner­
Or wall America deteriate to poverty’, hopelessness, and shame?
sh ip s^ ). Self-Esteem(7). TeacherTraining(8). Foreign Language Instruc­
The recent dismal stashes show that America’s educational system
tion.
SCHOOL STRUCTURE: School Structure must be organized in
is declining at an alarming rate. For example, “Every year America’s school
systems graduate 702,000 young people that cannot read their diploma."
a way that permits teachers to teach appropriate curriculum.
( Fortune Magazine). “Every’ 8 seconds a child drops out of school in the
CURRICULUM: School curriculm must be designed to permit
U.S.” (U.S. Departm ent of Education). “80% of prisoners are high school
students to see aclear relationship between what they do in school and what
dropouts.” “40% of our children already show signs of cardiac risk factor."
they will do in their adult life.
ASSESSMENT: Students must be assessed on a regular on going
(President Council on Physical Fitness). “61% of teenagers say social
pressure is why they become sexually active. ” (planned parenthood). “40%
basis.
of females drop out because of pregnancy.” “75% of parents have never
F \RENTAL INVOLVEMENT: Parents are the first, and most
visited their children in school.” (Mary Futrell-National Education Associa­
important teachers that their children have. Parents have the greatest
tion). “The U.S. ranks 49th among 156 nations in literacy.”
influence, power to assist and mentor along with community’, and school
“.All children in America are academically disadvantaged when you
resources. If there is no parental follow-up we began loosing our children.
com pare them with children from the rest of the industrialized world. ” (Hon
1). Parents must drastically limit die am ount of Television their children
H erndon, Executive Director, The National Association for Schools of
watch. Research shows children that watch more than ten hours of T.V. a
Excellence.. How can these bleek stasiitics change to assure a better
week have lower school achievement, less creative, and have lower vocabu­
America for our youth? Who will lead them to the next America? The
laries. 2). Parents must frequendy listen to their children read. 3). Schools
answer lies in adatequately equipping our children to compete on an
should establish regular private consulation widi parents todiscuss progress,
international level. The key is education. This challenges everyone, our
as well as techniques for incorporating supplementary home instruction.
government, communities, schools, and homes to get involved in youth,
4). Traditional parent involvement strategies, such as parent organizations,
and quality education. It is im portant to examine the past in order to move
Continued, on page 10
5 • MdroNoIion Nagazine
October, I992