I am very concerned about public education. I taught middle school English and history for many years in Texas. I resigned a year and half ago due to safety, over worked and under paid, and teachers are expected to fix everything. I currently work in higher education as an eLearning Instructional Designer and an adjunct for many subjects. I have been trying to contact someone and honestly, Donald Trump. I would love to analyze and explore new ways of structuring the public education system that is currently less than adequate. I have published historical and innovative articles about education and have a Doctorate in Education - Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on College and Career Ready. I currently live in Texas and it is sickening to watch the education system spiral into the toilet. I also realize that President Trump is turning over education to the states but feel it needs to have a few guidelines. The only problem with that plan will be the corrupt agencies that sell the children’s education out for money. The Texas Education Agency is a prime example of the absolute problem with the Texas’ public school system. They are only concerned with money and it is at the expense of the students’ future. The standards are lowered every year so that schools can receive money. With a standardized test that lowers the passing rate every year to show students are passing is the true definition of insanity. The passing score for 8th grade reading when I left was 42 (a true F) and it was celebrated that they passed, 8th grade math passing score on the STAAR was a 30. This needs to be addressed before there is no way to turn it around. I agree with school choice until the public schools put focus back on what’s best for kids. Telling them they are passing when they are truly failing is a crime in my opinion. Why don’t we study Finland and model our schools from an example that is producing brilliance. I am very passionate about this…
We started homeschooling during covid and would like to see if some of our tax dollars can be used to purchase programs and supplies for homeschooled children. Perhaps this could be in the form of a tax deduction.
Public school in most states are failing our children. We need public schools, but need to do their jobs for the kids not for the money of head counts.
If you look into the original design intent of Mann and Greeley, Humanists, for the government school system, you will discover that its current state is exactly as designed. They replaced family and church with government and state, produced obedient and compliant workers smart enough to do drudge work but not too smart to complain or better themselves, who are ready for the ‘inevitable’ consolation with communism. They planned this out, wrote their manifestos, in the early 1900s. This will hurt, but try and rip the bandage off all at once: the school system is not broken, it is functioning exactly as designed.
It must be dismantled and replaced with new systems. Homeschool must always be a supported option, cooperatives and the one-room schoolhouse must work with them as well. No child is exactly the same level in all subjects always; they might be 4th grade reading and 6th grade math, and 8th grade arts. Also, mixed ages works much better than same-aged groups; it’s been observed that the older ones teach the younger and want to say good examples, while the younger emulate the older. They all learn faster, and learn to work together, life skills.
Embrace trades, journeymen, apprenticeships, certifications over degrees, and encourage teaching of the foundations of western civilization and of this country without costly degrees that do not prepare students for life.
[If more public schools were of the Montessori format there would be way less worry.]
We don’t need public schools. Shut them down!
You have evaluated the situation very well. Having a PhD in education is going to cripple your ability to see to the bottom of things, however. Work to undo that damage. We need to shut down the public school system. It is indoctrinating our children, and that is its PURPOSE since it is run by government, which wants to perpetuate itself. School choice, with 100% tax credits going to folks who contribute to a privately-run scholarship program is the answer for those who cannot afford to pay for their own children. Most people could afford it if they didn’t have to pay property tax. And property tax is unconstitutional and a violation of federal land patent laws. ENFORCE THE LAND PATENT LAWS! End property tax.