Straight Talk from Al Jacobs

 

 

EDUCATIONAL FAILURE – WHO’S TO BLAME?

 

The editorial’s headline is certainly designed to attract attention: “California is failing to educate students.” The text that follows paints a depressing picture of schooling in our nation’s most populous state. If the statistics are accurate, the 3.2 million students who took the California Assessment of Student Performance tests scored dismally, with average proficiency in English at 48.56 percent and math 37.53 percent. These are, of course, failing grades.  As State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson declared, “We have much work to do.”

 

The editorial then goes on to philosophize about social justice as it states: “One of the great social injustices in California is the pitiful educational outcomes for low-income students.” As evidence of this, it further reports’ “For economically disadvantaged students, only 35.52 percent demonstrate proficiency in English and 24.57 percent in math.” The editorial concludes with “Our students deserve better. With such abysmal results, it’s no wonder majorities of Californians support the idea of school vouchers.”

 

Though I’m not the editor of a prestigious newspaper, I too have opinions concerning education. As I grew up during the Great Depression, my family was as low income as possible. I nonetheless performed reasonably well in my classes, but only because I studied my lessons and completed my assignments to the best of my ability. It’s my suspicion the students who are doing badly – economically disadvantaged or otherwise – are not doing much of anything to learn what is being presented to them. It’s quite likely the editor’s comment that “Our students deserve better” should be revised to read: “Those students who are failing to take advantage of our school system deserve the poor grades they receive.”

 

But most notably, I disagree with the editorial’s headline. I contend California is not failing to educate students. The vast majority are satisfactorily completing their studies, with many going on to college. The graduation rate, which has continued to climb in each of the past seven years, now stands at 83.2 percent. The many dedicated instructors are doing their jobs effectively. Those students who apply themselves are being well served. Only those who, for whatever reason, fail to take advantage of the schooling offered to them are receiving “pitiful educational outcomes.”

 

 

Al Jacobs, a professional investor for nearly a half-

century, issues weekly financial articles in which he

shares his financial knowledge and experience.

You may view them on http://www.roadwaytoprosperity.com