Flawed Education Expectations

            Even with more money being put into education nearly every year, there are other factors to consider when determining if education is being successful. Expecting massive growth rates every year in knowledge from our students is both unfair and unrealistic. Yes, we have increased the amount of spending on public education nearly every single year, and yes, sometimes we show no growth in knowledge on standardized tests (which is not a fair indicator). But we tend to forget that every year the population of the United States grows by 3 million people each year and that prices for all items rise every year, making each educational dollar go a shorter distance.

            Every single year more students are entering our nation’s public school system. To expect teachers, administrators, and school boards to not only educate more students every year, but to show gains in subject areas on flawed indicators such as standardized tests, is ludicrous and unfair. The vast majority of individuals in education are not in it for the money—let’s face it, there are literally hundreds of jobs that are more lucrative and less demanding than being a teacher. Instead, these people care about our students and want to teach them to be the best they can be.

            It is not realistic for businesses to grow in profitability and show gains like we expect in education. Of course, we have seen it in numerous examples, which includes ENRON, WorldCom, AIG, and Bear Stearns, businesses in which they had to show more and more growth for their stockholders and ended up costing not just their employees lots of money, but taxpayers as well.

            What we need in education is realistic expectations that are formed by all concerned parties. This includes parents, students, teachers, administrators, staff, and legislators. For any one group to try to tell everyone else what needs to happen and to set up expectations and sanctions based on that one viewpoint is absurd and goes against our democratic origins. While the issues surrounding education are wide-ranging and include more than budgets, the cost of education is a main focal point for much of our population, especially those with simple messages.

            We should expect our schools today to teach our students both knowledge and skills. We should hold each other accountable as well as schools for the education of the nation’s children. We are all a part of this and the education of our children has very real consequences for everyone involved. Let’s come together to have a frank discussion of realistic and attainable expectations after we have asked for background information first for a change.