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School today: What would Jefferson say?
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Lately, I have been reading many articles that discuss the need for the visual arts, music, dance, and home economic classes in our schools. Yes, they are very interesting classes for our children to attend, and they might even be what interests your child. On the other hand, these are the same classes that are eating up our budget and cutting into the time of core subjects such as math, english, and science.
One of our key fathers and promoter of public schooling was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson stressed the need for enlightened citizens who can protect our liberty from oppressive leaders. Commerce stressed the need for written word and fundamental arithmetic.
What are the schools teaching now? They are teaching theatre, gourmet cooking, and music class. While I cannot deny that the music and other class options may be very enriching, I also cannot deny that this goes against the fundamental principles of why we began public schooling in the first place. There are many adults, with no children or whose children have already been raised, that look at the need for these additional classes as a complete waste of their tax dollars. Yes, the public schools are being funded for the “common good”, but are these extra classes really needed when we are falling further behind in math and science? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to increase the amount of time spent on the basics?
We insist that our children be well-rounded. We insist that this must include the arts. But, should this really be our school’s responsibility, or should it be our own, as parents? When I read about 80 year olds losing their homes because they can’t afford their new tax bill, I can’t help but wonder what enrichment classes are offered in their school district. The same classes that take more and more of their money each year.
I am not advocating that children be deprived of these wonderful activities. What I am saying is that we need to stop focusing on the extras, and place our attention on what really matters: the basics. As Vince Lombardi (a great teacher in the game of football) said, “Excellence is achieved by mastery of the fundamentals.” Have our children mastered mathematics? A recent international study of 15 year olds place the U.S. 24th out of a possible 29 countries in solving real-life math problems. This is disgraceful. Our kids may not be able to solve math problems, but don’t worry, they can work a pottery wheel.
As a society, we need to look at what we actually want our schools to accomplish and realize that what they are doing now is not cutting it. Which, consequently, leads me to wonder if schools are actually doing what they are suppose to be doing, educating our future leaders. I bet Jefferson would say, “NO!”, but I wonder what you think....
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