By guest columnist, Stacy Becker, project director for the Citizen's League MAP 150. See Stacy's bio.
Depending on whom you ask, they are in deep trouble, or people are failing to realize just how good our K-12 education system is. For example, the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce issued a report suggesting that public schools are so bad that we need to start over. But in a recent Public Agenda survey, more than half of the nation’s superintendents think that local schools are excellent, and more than three quarters say that local academic standards are not a serious problem in their schools.
With expert viewpoints so split, what’s to be done? The premise of Citizens League’s MAP 150 project is that our most challenging public issues won’t get solved unless citizens are involved in the problem-solving mix. In a system like public education, it really matters what citizens think and what they’re prepared to do.
According to a MAP 150 poll conducted in the fall of 2006, Minnesotans are at a near indictment of our public schools. Two-thirds say the quality of K-12 education is a problem. In the following important areas, less than 10% believe our K-12 education system has improved, while a third to more than a half say that things are worse: preparation for college, preparation to be successful in a global economy, effective and high quality teaching, funding for teaching of basic skills, preparation to contribute to society, discipline in school, etc.
More than half support vouchers (58%), while two-thirds believe that Minnesota needs more school choice. A slight majority said that Minnesota should strive to educate its children at world class standards, even if it means completely revamping our system. The Minnesotans most critical of public schools were parents with school children and those in families earning less than $75,000 a year.
MAP 150 also conducted extensive interviews of Minnesotans. Most value our schools as foundation of a solid economy and a well-functioning society. They expressed grave concern for Minnesota’s schools and indicated that they might be willing to pay more for better schools. The poll confirmed this. Two-thirds of Minnesotans felt that we should spend more money on K-12 education.
And yet, few citizens were able to articulate what they would want different except more money. Have the education reform discussions been so hijacked that we cannot get past the same stalemated debates? More money vs. poorer quality education; vouchers vs. impaired public education; testing or no testing; ESL or integrated learning. These are discussions adults like to have, but seldom do we ask students what matters to them—what would help them learn better and stay in school?
MAP 150 is developing ways for citizens, especially students, to weigh in meaningfully on education reform, recognizing that education is co-produced with students. School board meetings usually aren’t too satisfying, but it’s critical that we citizens speak up. There are ways to bring your experiences and information to the table. Learnmore is one great tool, and I’d love to have you weigh in on what I’ve written here. Also, go to www.map150.org to find out more about the MAP 150 project, survey results, and how you or your student might get involved.