A wider pool lowers the average. A study done several years ago showed that if you only had the same proportion of the senior class taking the test today, the average would be up 40 points. While we are better than ever at providing the traditional education, the world has changed. The deteriorating condition of children, families and communities and the escalating demands of the workplace have left schools behind. Schools have made incremental progress in an exponential world.
Significant transformation is required.
The good news is that there will be lots of those low paying, low skill jobs available for them. The bad news is that the American dream will be an elusive one for them. For all of our students, the efforts to force reform by bludgeoning schools to greatness through coercive legislative and mandated efforts have only reinforced the already deadening experience we give our students in school. Schools should be places of joy and excitement that enliven the mind, quicken curiosity and empower students to reach their highest potential. They should be places of respect and fairness where everyone has an equal chance.