PORTLAND, Ore. — A report released by the U.S. Department of Education shows Oregon at the bottom of the list when it comes to the percentage of kids who graduate from high school in four years. Oregon’s rate was 68.7 percent in 2013, making it dead last among states. The District of Columbia graduated 62.3 percent. Iowa was first with a graduation rate of 89.7 percent.
It shouldn’t be long now before we hear the chorus of parental voice clamoring for someone’s head- “WHO’S FAILING OUR CHILDREN??” People move here for the relaxed lifestyle, the physical beauty…but I suspect not so much for the educational system, which IS failing our children. How else could you reasonably describe a public school graduation rate lower than Mississippi, West Virginia, Kentucky, and…well, EVERY other state?
The primary problem is two-fold, neither of which has anything to do with the work being done by teachers or administrators in Oregon’s public schools. First, the system for funding public schools is broken, and parents tend to want a champagne education on a beer budget. Until the Oregon legislature fixes the system for funding public schools and parents agree on the need to step up and pay for the education they want, it’s unlikely much will change.
Second, far too many parents have checked out when in comes to their role in educating their children. They turn their students over to the schools and expect to get back a finished product with little to no effort on their part. It’s understandable, I suppose; if you work long, hard hours to support your family, there may not be a lot of energy left to participate in your child’s education. Nonetheless, if you as a parent want your child to learn as much as possible and be as prepared as possible to meet adulthood, you must be engaged and involved. If you check out and expect the schools to babysit and educate your children, the system won’t work- no matter how much money you throw at schools.
I’m not saying all parents are disengaged, but enough are to create a problem. Parenting isn’t an endeavor for the lazy and uninvolved…not if you truly want your child to have a shot at success.
Is our children learning? Not so much….
