By Bob Wise, President, Alliance for Excellent Education, www.all4ed.org
All Americans—whether they have a direct connection with schools or not—have a personal stake in ensuring that every child becomes a high school graduate, prepared for success in college, the modern workplace, and life. Clearly, the students themselves suffer the most direct impact from dropping out of school, but the economy, social fabric, and security of the nation, states, and local communities are also affected.
Consider the 1.2 million students from the Class of 2008 who dropped out. Had those students graduated with their classmates, the nation’s economy would have benefited from an additional $319 billion in income over their lifetimes. Were the nation to cut its dropout rate in half, U.S. taxpayers could reap $45 billion annually. Indeed, in this time of declining stock markets, higher inflation, and rising unemployment, the best economic stimulus package for the economy is a high school diploma.
The stunning possible economic benefit to the nation of improving outcomes for academically undeserved youth should be a wake-up call for the nation. No longer can America afford to lose more than one million students every year. Already, the United States has started to slip in the international race to produce a workforce prepared for the demands of a global economy, falling from first in high school graduation rates to thirteenth.
Ensuring that all secondary students are prepared to succeed in college and work is a giant step in the right direction. Not only because American students must achieve at increasingly higher levels to compete for good-paying jobs, but because more high school graduates will benefit themselves and society for decades to come.
Showing posts with label Reform. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reform. Show all posts
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Realities, Challenges & Opportunities
1. Our educational system is in crisis and it requires urgent attention.
2. This educational crisis is challenging our competitiveness on the global stage and limiting the opportunities of our young people, particularly poor and minority students.
3. Our economic health, national security, and democratic institutions depend on well-educated citizens.
4. Our future prosperity and leadership in the world will be determined by our response to this educational crisis and our steadfast commitment to implementing solutions. American public education MUST meet the needs of ALL our children and respond to our nation’s growing diversity.
5. The most successful state education reform efforts led to the development of the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. This law represented a sea change in education with its commitment to high standards for all students. In the last six years, we have seen real improvements in student performance, yet we still have a long way to go. We must quicken the pace of reform.
6. The states, districts and schools that have embraced the core elements of reform are seeing remarkable progress. Their commitment to effective teachers and school leaders and measurable, high expectations for all students is making a significant difference.
7. We must renew our support for these effective principles of education reform – accountability for results, transparency, and measurable, high expectations for all students – and develop a broad public consensus to act. We must establish our common ground and join together to chart the additional bold steps necessary to quicken the pace of reform. We must mobilize and sustain the support necessary to create a public education system that meets the needs of every student and assures a more hopeful and prosperous future.
The crisis is real. Join the live web cast (www.aspeninstitute.org/urgentcall) of the National Education Summit and add your voice and perspective to this important and timely conversation through the blog (www.aspenedsummit.blogspot.com).
2. This educational crisis is challenging our competitiveness on the global stage and limiting the opportunities of our young people, particularly poor and minority students.
3. Our economic health, national security, and democratic institutions depend on well-educated citizens.
4. Our future prosperity and leadership in the world will be determined by our response to this educational crisis and our steadfast commitment to implementing solutions. American public education MUST meet the needs of ALL our children and respond to our nation’s growing diversity.
5. The most successful state education reform efforts led to the development of the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. This law represented a sea change in education with its commitment to high standards for all students. In the last six years, we have seen real improvements in student performance, yet we still have a long way to go. We must quicken the pace of reform.
6. The states, districts and schools that have embraced the core elements of reform are seeing remarkable progress. Their commitment to effective teachers and school leaders and measurable, high expectations for all students is making a significant difference.
7. We must renew our support for these effective principles of education reform – accountability for results, transparency, and measurable, high expectations for all students – and develop a broad public consensus to act. We must establish our common ground and join together to chart the additional bold steps necessary to quicken the pace of reform. We must mobilize and sustain the support necessary to create a public education system that meets the needs of every student and assures a more hopeful and prosperous future.
The crisis is real. Join the live web cast (www.aspeninstitute.org/urgentcall) of the National Education Summit and add your voice and perspective to this important and timely conversation through the blog (www.aspenedsummit.blogspot.com).
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
An Urgent Call
By Walter Isaacson, President & CEO, The Aspen Institute
In an increasingly competitive world, what are the long-term implications of an entire generation being less educated than their predecessors? For the first time in our nation’s history, 25 – 34 year-olds have fewer college degrees than 55 – 64 years-olds. Despite spending more money per child than nearly every other developed country, U.S. students are falling farther behind their international peers. American students recently scored 25th in math and 21st in science (out of 30 OECD countries) on international assessments. Additionally, more than 1.2 million students annually drop out of school and just half of all African-American and Hispanic students graduate from high school in four years.
Though the consequences of poor educational performance may seem remote to many, with little recognizable impact on their daily lives, our national health and prosperity depends on a skilled workforce, vigorous civic institutions and engaged citizens. We believe it is time for a broader mobilization of local, state and national leaders to raise public awareness of the educational challenges we face and how failure to meet them will likely affect our standard of living in the future. We must take seriously our shared responsibility to ensure that all students – regardless of race, income level or zip code – have access to an excellent education.
The Aspen Institute will convene national leaders for a series of frank conversations about the state of American education to underscore the implications of poor to mediocre performance on other areas of our national life cited by voters as most important including: the economy, jobs, security and healthcare. Our National Education Summit will also highlight the importance of working across party lines, and with all sectors of our society, to develop a superior educational system that serves all children well and prepares them for lives of opportunity and productive citizenship.
Throughout the day, Summit participants will be challenged to work together to mobilize the growing national consensus important principles of effective education reform. These principles are:
High expectations and challenging standards for all students. The standards-based reform movement started nearly twenty years ago, and states and school districts have worked hard over the past several years to set standards and raise expectations for all students. However, there is considerable evidence that standards are not high enough. In many states, for example, the number of students at the proficient level on state tests is far higher than those who are proficient on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, suggesting that states are not expecting enough from their students. And there is in many cases a mismatch between what students are expected to know and be able to do to graduate from high school and the expectations for college and the workplace. Only by setting challenging, meaningful standards in core academic subjects can we ensure that all will be fully prepared for life after high school.
Measure progress annually and report results in an understandable way. States have expanded their testing programs in recent years and now all states test all students in grades three through eight, and once in high school, in reading and mathematics. Few states, however, have the capability of measuring student progress from year to year. And reports of test results are often overwhelming and incomprehensible for parents and the public. By developing better measures of student progress and reporting, states can ensure that parents, teachers, and the public have the information they need to improve student learning.
Ensure that every classroom has an effective teacher. As we raise expectations and standards for all students, we must ensure that all students are taught by effective teachers. Research shows that an effective teacher makes all the difference; in fact, three years with an effective teacher can improve student performance by three grade levels, compared with an ineffective teacher. By using achievement data, states can determine whether teachers are improving student learning and better target support to teachers and school leaders such as the high quality professional development that they need to become more effective. Few states, though, currently have data systems or tools that enable them to make those determinations. Developing and implementing such systems and tools could substantially enhance instruction and learning.
Reinforce the fundamental role of parents in their children’s education and give them a meaningful voice. Parents are children’s first teachers, and the role they play in children’s education remains paramount. To become better engaged and informed advocates for their children, parents need access to accurate, timely information about their child’s school and reliable research. The most important decision parents make is where to send their children to school. Fortunately, over the past two decades the number of options parents have has increased dramatically. By making available better information and more options, including charter schools, after-school tutoring, and high-quality schools, states and communities can more effectively engage parents in ensuring a quality education for their children.
Insist that schools and districts implement proven solutions for struggling schools. One of the most vexing problems in education is the large number of schools that persistently struggle to educate all of their students to high levels. Some schools have managed to turn themselves around and succeed, but these schools remain islands of excellence in a troubled sea. By identifying proven solutions that could be applied at scale, we can ensure that all schools can succeed with all students, and that all districts can provide the support schools need to maintain their excellence.
Target educational research and evaluation to increase student achievement and improve teacher effectiveness. In contrast to many other fields, such as healthcare and business, the amount spent on educational research and development remains woefully small. And much of the research is diffuse. As a result, some fundamental questions that are vital to improving student achievement remain unanswered. By targeting research on critical issues and funding programs that are known to improve student achievement and enhance teacher effectiveness, the nation can address its most important challenges and drive excellence in every classroom.
I encourage you to join the live web cast (www.aspeninstitute.org/urgentcall) of the National Education Summit and add your voice and perspective to this important and timely conversation through the blog (www.aspenedsummit.blogspot.com).
In an increasingly competitive world, what are the long-term implications of an entire generation being less educated than their predecessors? For the first time in our nation’s history, 25 – 34 year-olds have fewer college degrees than 55 – 64 years-olds. Despite spending more money per child than nearly every other developed country, U.S. students are falling farther behind their international peers. American students recently scored 25th in math and 21st in science (out of 30 OECD countries) on international assessments. Additionally, more than 1.2 million students annually drop out of school and just half of all African-American and Hispanic students graduate from high school in four years.
Though the consequences of poor educational performance may seem remote to many, with little recognizable impact on their daily lives, our national health and prosperity depends on a skilled workforce, vigorous civic institutions and engaged citizens. We believe it is time for a broader mobilization of local, state and national leaders to raise public awareness of the educational challenges we face and how failure to meet them will likely affect our standard of living in the future. We must take seriously our shared responsibility to ensure that all students – regardless of race, income level or zip code – have access to an excellent education.
The Aspen Institute will convene national leaders for a series of frank conversations about the state of American education to underscore the implications of poor to mediocre performance on other areas of our national life cited by voters as most important including: the economy, jobs, security and healthcare. Our National Education Summit will also highlight the importance of working across party lines, and with all sectors of our society, to develop a superior educational system that serves all children well and prepares them for lives of opportunity and productive citizenship.
Throughout the day, Summit participants will be challenged to work together to mobilize the growing national consensus important principles of effective education reform. These principles are:
High expectations and challenging standards for all students. The standards-based reform movement started nearly twenty years ago, and states and school districts have worked hard over the past several years to set standards and raise expectations for all students. However, there is considerable evidence that standards are not high enough. In many states, for example, the number of students at the proficient level on state tests is far higher than those who are proficient on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, suggesting that states are not expecting enough from their students. And there is in many cases a mismatch between what students are expected to know and be able to do to graduate from high school and the expectations for college and the workplace. Only by setting challenging, meaningful standards in core academic subjects can we ensure that all will be fully prepared for life after high school.
Measure progress annually and report results in an understandable way. States have expanded their testing programs in recent years and now all states test all students in grades three through eight, and once in high school, in reading and mathematics. Few states, however, have the capability of measuring student progress from year to year. And reports of test results are often overwhelming and incomprehensible for parents and the public. By developing better measures of student progress and reporting, states can ensure that parents, teachers, and the public have the information they need to improve student learning.
Ensure that every classroom has an effective teacher. As we raise expectations and standards for all students, we must ensure that all students are taught by effective teachers. Research shows that an effective teacher makes all the difference; in fact, three years with an effective teacher can improve student performance by three grade levels, compared with an ineffective teacher. By using achievement data, states can determine whether teachers are improving student learning and better target support to teachers and school leaders such as the high quality professional development that they need to become more effective. Few states, though, currently have data systems or tools that enable them to make those determinations. Developing and implementing such systems and tools could substantially enhance instruction and learning.
Reinforce the fundamental role of parents in their children’s education and give them a meaningful voice. Parents are children’s first teachers, and the role they play in children’s education remains paramount. To become better engaged and informed advocates for their children, parents need access to accurate, timely information about their child’s school and reliable research. The most important decision parents make is where to send their children to school. Fortunately, over the past two decades the number of options parents have has increased dramatically. By making available better information and more options, including charter schools, after-school tutoring, and high-quality schools, states and communities can more effectively engage parents in ensuring a quality education for their children.
Insist that schools and districts implement proven solutions for struggling schools. One of the most vexing problems in education is the large number of schools that persistently struggle to educate all of their students to high levels. Some schools have managed to turn themselves around and succeed, but these schools remain islands of excellence in a troubled sea. By identifying proven solutions that could be applied at scale, we can ensure that all schools can succeed with all students, and that all districts can provide the support schools need to maintain their excellence.
Target educational research and evaluation to increase student achievement and improve teacher effectiveness. In contrast to many other fields, such as healthcare and business, the amount spent on educational research and development remains woefully small. And much of the research is diffuse. As a result, some fundamental questions that are vital to improving student achievement remain unanswered. By targeting research on critical issues and funding programs that are known to improve student achievement and enhance teacher effectiveness, the nation can address its most important challenges and drive excellence in every classroom.
I encourage you to join the live web cast (www.aspeninstitute.org/urgentcall) of the National Education Summit and add your voice and perspective to this important and timely conversation through the blog (www.aspenedsummit.blogspot.com).
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Obama on Improving Education in America
Democratic Presidential candidate, Barack Obama, on the campaign trail in Dayton, OH, discussed his plans to reform American education in a major speech, entitled “A 21st Century Education,” on September 9, 2008.
"We need a new vision for a 21st century education – one where we aren’t just supporting existing schools, but spurring innovation; where we’re not just investing more money, but demanding more reform; where parents take responsibility for their children’s success; where our schools and government are accountable for results; where we’re recruiting, retaining, and rewarding an army of new teachers, and students are excited to learn because they’re attending schools of the future; and where we expect all our children not only to graduate high school, but to graduate college and get a good paying job."
Obama emphasized the the urgency of preparing all of the nation's students to compete globally. "Our kids and our country can’t afford four more years of neglect and indifference. At this defining moment in our history, America faces few more urgent challenges than preparing our children to compete in a global economy. The decisions our leaders make about education in the coming years will shape our future for generations to come. They will help determine not only whether our children have the chance to fulfill their God-given potential, or whether our workers have the chance to build a better life for their families, but whether we, as a nation, will remain in the 21st century the kind of global economic leader that we were in the 20th century."
"It’s time to ask ourselves why other countries are outperforming us in education. Because it’s not that their kids are smarter than ours – it’s that they’re being smarter about how to educate their kids. They’re spending less time teaching things that don’t matter and more time teaching things that do. Their students are spending more time in school, and they’re setting higher expectations."
In providing more detail to his education platform, Obama promised to give low-income students access to college-level courses; fund “innovative schools”; recruit and train high-quality teachers; and create a “parent report card” to update families about their children’s progress. He also swore to replace weak teachers, send teams to improve “bad programs,” and shut down unsuccessful charters.
While addressing NCLB, Obama said, "Of course, we also have to fix the broken promises of No Child Left Behind. Now, I believe that the goals of this law were the right ones. Making a promise to educate every child with an excellent teacher is right. Closing the achievement gap that exists in too many cities and rural areas is right. More accountability is right. Higher standards are right."
Obama's complete speech can be viewed on youtube.com at Obama's 21st Century Education Plan
"We need a new vision for a 21st century education – one where we aren’t just supporting existing schools, but spurring innovation; where we’re not just investing more money, but demanding more reform; where parents take responsibility for their children’s success; where our schools and government are accountable for results; where we’re recruiting, retaining, and rewarding an army of new teachers, and students are excited to learn because they’re attending schools of the future; and where we expect all our children not only to graduate high school, but to graduate college and get a good paying job."
Obama emphasized the the urgency of preparing all of the nation's students to compete globally. "Our kids and our country can’t afford four more years of neglect and indifference. At this defining moment in our history, America faces few more urgent challenges than preparing our children to compete in a global economy. The decisions our leaders make about education in the coming years will shape our future for generations to come. They will help determine not only whether our children have the chance to fulfill their God-given potential, or whether our workers have the chance to build a better life for their families, but whether we, as a nation, will remain in the 21st century the kind of global economic leader that we were in the 20th century."
"It’s time to ask ourselves why other countries are outperforming us in education. Because it’s not that their kids are smarter than ours – it’s that they’re being smarter about how to educate their kids. They’re spending less time teaching things that don’t matter and more time teaching things that do. Their students are spending more time in school, and they’re setting higher expectations."
In providing more detail to his education platform, Obama promised to give low-income students access to college-level courses; fund “innovative schools”; recruit and train high-quality teachers; and create a “parent report card” to update families about their children’s progress. He also swore to replace weak teachers, send teams to improve “bad programs,” and shut down unsuccessful charters.
While addressing NCLB, Obama said, "Of course, we also have to fix the broken promises of No Child Left Behind. Now, I believe that the goals of this law were the right ones. Making a promise to educate every child with an excellent teacher is right. Closing the achievement gap that exists in too many cities and rural areas is right. More accountability is right. Higher standards are right."
Obama's complete speech can be viewed on youtube.com at Obama's 21st Century Education Plan
Monday, September 8, 2008
National Education Summit, September 15
Join national leaders at the National Education Summit on Monday September 15, via a live web cast (www.aspeninstitute.org/urgentcall) or on our blog (www.aspenedsummit.blogspot.com) for live “play-by-play” coverage of the Summit’s series of candid conversations about sobering realities, serious challenges and exciting opportunities to improve our nation's public education system.
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