For politicians in Olympia, talking about true educational reform is like the cheating husband who tells his wife, “Honey, she’s just a friend.”
You want to believe him, but you’re a little skeptical.
The politicians’ commitment goes something like this: First came the Washington Learns task force, then came the reinvented state board of education, followed by the nation’s education task force. Last but not least, the Quality Education Council.
The goal is to have all educational reform in place by 2018. I have a better idea. How about a target date of when Jesus returns, and call it good?
I apologize if I’m a little cynical. I shake my head in disbelief that these politicians think the public is that stupid. While they twiddle their thumbs at the schoolhouse, everyone else has passed us by in the world. In 2018, when all the reforms are to be implemented, the only country we’ll be able to beat in math and science is Cuba.
The politicians’ answer to the education crisis is “Blah, blah, blah, blah.”
The unions’ answer to the education crisis is “$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and more $$$.”
The parents’ answer to education reform is “Pass the remote. I’m tired.”
The kids’ answer to education reform is “Why don’t you really love me?”
The educational bureaucracy has told me before that I’m not an expert, so why don’t you go sit down and eat some candy? My answer to the experts’ response is this startling fact: The passing rate on the science part of the WASL for black 10th-graders in a South King County high school was 4 percent.
I know where the Democrats stand on education reform. They stand with the teachers union and their attorneys. I want to know where Republicans stand in this debate. I just put out an all-points bulletin and hired Dog the Bounty Hunter to find those Republicans because they’re nowhere in the debate.
I am no expert, but how about these suggestions:
1. Why not teach cursive in all elementary schools in this state? It is shameful that children are still printing in the seventh grade.
2. Spend more money on early childhood education. Research has shown that if you invest more money in the early years, you will not have to play catch-up in the later years.
3. School districts should work directly with cities. The superintendents and mayors should sit down, put egos aside and utilize existing resources to help the kids.
4. Add 30 minutes a day to the school day.
5. Bring back the librarians, music teachers and art teachers.
6. Provide health care for every family in Washington state who doesn’t have it.
Washington state ranks 37th out of 50 states in terms of graduation rates. About 48 percent of minorities graduate on time. The only answer that Olympia has is to have another study.
Get real. I would not be so outraged, except for the fact that the rest of the world is beating us at our own game. I am tired of Olympia telling us we need another study while we spend billions of dollars — and these kids can’t even write or multiply.
There is something wrong with this picture. It will take a million moms with pitchforks marching in Olympia, demanding change we can believe in. The stakes are too high. We shouldn’t ask for excellence. We should demand excellence. No excuses.
Walter Backstrom’s columns appear in the Bellevue Reporter twice a month. Readers can contact him at wkbackstrom@aol.com.
