In a recent editorial post in the conservative blog Empower Texans, Nathan Ofe discussed his solution to saving Texas students: choice of schools. Before working for Empower Texans, Ofe was an ex-public school teacher in the Houston ISD where he experienced our broken educational system first-hand. From his experience, and as he so eloquently said, he saw how "…our students are not failing us, we are failing them!"
Ofe begins his case for a school system based on choice rather than zoning stating that though "…the single most important factor in determining student success in education is parental involvement," our current classroom pushes parents out of the picture "…by not having a real opportunity to choose what school is best for their child." Yet, Ofe believes, with a choice-driven school system and an increase on charter school caps, children will no longer be trapped in failing schools.
Though I completely agree the traditional methods of "improving" our schools by throwing more money and added new standardized tests is incomplete and failing, Ofe's overly simple plan will not amend the broken system either. Without truly addressing the fundamental problem stated by Ofe - the lack of parental involvement -, you will not truly fix the system. So why are majority of parents unable to be involved in their children's school life? Perhaps it is the school districts based on zip codes rather than choice. Or maybe if there was less stress on low + middle class parents who are struggling to financially support their children, they would be able to spend more quality time with them. This could be achieved by raising the minimum-wage, strengthening communities, + improving social programs.**** However, I do admit this will also only begin to address this first issue discuss in Ofe's post - it would be a journey of progress to improve our school + education systems. (But progress over perfection right?)
In regards to giving parents the open choice between schools + increasing the cap of students in charter schools, there are quite a few consequences I foresee. First, the best schools would be overflowed with students, meaning less one-on-one attention from the teacher (as can be said for the charter schools). Secondly, many families are unable to afford to travel outside of their district to a non-failing school. Then these undesired schools will perhaps be "tossed aside" since the most privilege, and often the most powerful + involved, families will demand their children's schools to be top priority - thus leading to children "left behind."
In short, although Ofe's intentions are good. His plan is ill-conceived and far too simple to address the complex structural failures of our education system in Texas and the nation as a whole. There are many poor policies that need to be amended regarding teachers' unions + pay, school infrastructure, subjective textbook content, etc. But it is a necessary investment we need to take, for investing in education is the only true way to invest in our future and fight economical, political, social, health, + environmental issues.
If you have not already seen the documentary Waiting for Superman, I highly suggest you do so! It is a great look into our public school system and the fight Michelle Rhee took in Washington DC.
On a side note, here is a video of Neil Degrasse Tyson's proposal of how we can foster science enthusiasm in our country + how it will improve our economy + society:
***UPDATE 3/18: In a recent Citizen Radio episode, Jaime + Allison discuss the essential of addressing food scarcity when discussing education reform - a point I never really gave much thought to. Food is the fuel for our bodies + brains. Without the access to whole, fresh foods, many middle-class + low-income families are feeding their children poor, processed foods - foods that ultimately lead to health issues, let alone focus in class. Additionally by concentrating on the food inequality challenges, we would also subsequently address world hunger, virtually all modern illnesses, + even climate change.
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