My last blog commented on H.R. 1994 and proposed new methods to improve the student loan system. I concluded the blog by mentioning that Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings would be testifying before the House Committee on Education and Labor.
As a typical American college student, I missed the CSPAN broadcast, but I did eagerly tune in for Secretary Spellings’ appearance on The Daily Show with John Stewart.
True to form, the show began with some witty banter involving #2 pencils, Lunchables, the food pyramid, and the peculiar medical condition which renders the Executive Branch allergic to John Stewart.
As the interview continued, however, John Stewart invited Secretary Spellings to comment on what makes Education such a ‘bedeviling’ problem:
“If you’re the education god and you could change one thing….you could smite the teachers union if you wish….you could make it rain frogs, which would just be cool….In a perfect world, what is the most vexing part of this whole situation?”
Secretary Spellings’ replied “Low Expectations.”
I am disappointed to note that, yet again, a member of government has fallen short in answering questions and proposing solutions to the growing fissures in the education system.
I could explain my judgment of Secretary Spellings at length, but that would make this blog a litany of The Problems, rather than The Solutions. Suffice to say, that in a vision of the perfect world, expecting Rocket Science of America’s children would do nothing to put them on the path to achieving such goals.
Rather, I suggest that the appropriate answer to the question John Stewart posed, is “Every American must feel personally responsible for the education of every child.”
In our current society, many Americans support the education of children, but that is not enough.
Firstly, the obvious strength in numbers of Every vs Many.
Secondly, there is a significant difference between supporting education and feeling personally responsible for it. I believe that our nation supports education; we vote for candidates who propose education reform and we pay taxes to support the schools. Americans care about education. They do not, however, feel responsible for it. When the system fails, and it is failing, Americans are saddened and frustrated but they do not acknowledge their own culpability as part of the system and their own responsibility for educating the next generation.
Finally, a goal of educating America’s children is not enough. Such a goal addresses faceless masses of indistinct youth. In this scenario, the United States’ 99% literacy rate is a remarkable success. But, in reframing our goal to educate every individual child, we must consider the failures. We must see the face and hear the name of each individual who falls through the cracks. Suddenly, failure to educate one child is failure intotale. It is unacceptable.
In conclusion, I hope that the members of Roosevelt will join me in reflecting on our responsibility in the education of a child.
In truth, I hope that Secretary Spellings and members of Congress will join us in these reflections as well.
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