Depending on whom you ask you may hear a hundred different answers to the question, “What is important in education?” Proponents of FCAT will stress the importance of math and science in order to prepare students to compete in a world market. Supporters of trade schools will underscore the importance of teaching specific skill sets to students to meet the demands of a growing economy. Universities require a set of core academic classes and specific grade point averages to be achieved. After fifteen years in education, my experience tells me the importance of education is preparing our students for whatever the future entails, paying particular attention to teaching the ability to understand and participate in American government.

According to the U.S. Census, only 27% of all Americans have a college degree yet public schools today focus on preparing students for college not life. That 27% is broken down to 37% of whites, 25% of Blacks and 10% of Latino’s having college degrees. Are we truly preparing our students for a realistic future if we are only preparing them for college? Now don’t get me wrong. I would love for all Americans to earn a college degree, make more money, and pay more taxes. This would only help our country pull out of its current economic crisis. But it is unrealistic to focus so much of our educational money towards this expectation.

An accurate plan for education, and one you will not see in public schools in Florida, must have a three pronged attack. First, continue a focus on college but for those students that are college bound. Second, bring back a technical education for those students that do not wish an academic future. Third, set a educational requirement focusing on American government and its inner workings. Think about it … 15% of Americans never graduated from high school, 73% of Americans never graduated college but 100% of Americans, that meet the very basic requirements, can vote.

Is a successful academic education for all students a reality? The answer is no and not being realistic about the formal educational success of all Americans only limits our students and our nation.

By: Mrs. Donovan