Losing The Academic Race

To the Editor:

In 1995, the Educational Testing Service “re-centered” SAT scores to mask declining scores. As a result, 800 verbal scores could still be attained, albeit with a greater number of incorrect answers. This shot over the bow is either forgotten or unknown today. Sadly, America is losing the academic race. Over the years, our international academic rankings have dropped consistently. For 2011, our schools are ranked 16th in math and science internationally.

Indeed, we have lost our rigor, our academic drive, a decline manifesting itself in many ways in schools throughout America, e.g., student absenteeism, fading personal responsibility, vacations planned during the school year, early dismissals, weekday evening sporting events, increasing field trips on school days, social promotions, empowerment, grade inflation, exploding honor roles, schools without failure, pervasive distrust, and a curriculum morphing from the academic sphere into the realm of socialization considerations and trade/technology skills, which are subject to obsolescence and inconsistent with education’s mandate.

High academic standards must return if we are ever again to face our competition and succeed. In that regard, I propose a rigorous, broad-based, liberal arts program with specific required courses as the core or foundation of our curriculum for all students. These competencies, which a liberal arts education fosters, should be developed during elementary school and high school and subsequently serve students throughout their lives as an invaluable foundation for further academic and societal pursuits.

“Educational excellence” is a term often inserted into mission statements by schools and districts. In most cases, however, this phrase receives little more than lip service. I propose we give more than lip service, that we practice what we preach, that we create an atmosphere conducive to so-called educational excellence and institute and promote for all students genuine standards and goals that will produce articulate and thoughtful young men and women who will become the inspired leaders our country truly needs. Yes, it all begins with education, true education. Without the proper restoration of public school academic rigor, we will face a future that will threaten our standard of living and jeopardize our democratic process.

With regard to budgetary issues, I would reference two statistics for consideration: one being that 50 percent of American public school employees are not teachers and the other that in Asia the number is 20 percent (National Center of Education Statistics). American education undoubtedly has experienced unfettered, financially draining bureaucratic growth as well as a cascade of unfunded mandates from Washington. How we address and control this burden will determine whether public education as we know it survives.

We are running out of time. The rest of the world has shown they take education very seriously. We, in turn, must respond with conviction and prioritize academic education. Let us give a glorious gift to the children of Newtown, an education that will serve them well as they prepare to step upon the world stage. These are our children. This is our country. Let us serve both well.

Thank you,

Dan Shea

Democratic BOE candidate

44 Queen Street, Newtown                                         October 27, 2011