EDUCATION IN THE MODERN AGE
America’s public schools are in dire crisis. After spending nearly fifty years and billions of dollars on educational reform, the majority of urban students are still severely unprepared for college or the workplace. As reported by the New York Times (2011), only 21 percent of New York City’s high school class of 2010 graduated ready for college or a career.
For African-American and Latino students the data is even more disturbing. Statewide, only 13 percent of African-American and 15 percent of Latino high school graduates are considered college ready.
While alarming, these results are hardly surprising. The Prussian-industrial model is not designed to produce college-ready graduates on a large scale. Moreover, not only do our schools fail to give students the resources they need to succeed in college, but they also fail to impart the skills that the modern workplace demands. American companies require creative, solution-oriented critical thinkers. In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively have become critical business needs.
The Prussian-industrial model of rote, passive learning does not provide our students with these vital skills. Discouraged from thinking beyond their textbooks, our students are conditioned to conform—even while successful companies constantly challenge their employees to think “out of the box”. After systemically repressing our students’ individuality and creativity, we cannot expect them to foster the innovation our economy so desperately needs.
Inherently tyrannical, our educational system is also failing to produce good citizens for our republic. Voiceless throughout their schooling experience, our graduates are unprepared to authentically participate in the political process. This dissonance, between how our children are educated and the values of our republic, undermines the very fabric of our country.
America requires a public educational model designed around the ideals that have made her great – freedom, empowerment, and aspiration. In these times of economic uncertainty and global unrest we can no longer afford to limit such an education to our nation’s elite. All children must learn to think and act creatively. Only widespread innovation can ensure long-term social and economic success.
