Not Good Enough

While I believe that the idea that 100% of students will meet a particular level of proficiency regardless of LEP or special education status is statistically unsound, I believe wholeheartedly in the idea that all children can make significant gains, and that education can, and should, have accountability to student success. I think that at times in the dialogue and even legistatively, we confuse the idea of achievement to standard with one of closing the achievement gap that exists in US education. A study conducted by research fellows at John Hopkins University revealed shocking, sobering results: “There are currently between 900 and 1,000 high schools in the country in which graduating is at best a 50/50 proposition. In 2,000 high schools, a typical freshman class shrinks by 40% or more by the time the students reach their senior year. This represents nearly one in five regular or vocational high schools in the U.S. that enroll 300 or more students.” (Balfanz & Legters, 2004) As a nation, we are failing these students. Student populations will always have a percentage that are not achieving to the level of their peer group, but the idea that outside factors determine this is, to me, fatalistic. Certainly home situations are immensely challenging for some of our students, but this cannot be the hill upon which education dies. In a report out of Columbia University, authors highlight this distinction: “'Proficiency for all,' which implies the elimination of variation within socioeconomic groups, is inconceivable. Closing the achievement gap, which implies elimination of variation between socioeconomic groups, is extraordinarily difficult, but worth striving for.” (Rothstein, Jacobsen, & Wilder, 2006) While it may be true that doctors, lawyers, and CEO's cannot achieve perfection, this continues to be the standard for which they strive. A doctor endeavors his career, not to settle for acceptable losses, but to preserve the health and quality of life for every patient. A CEO is expected to maximize his results using every available resource, and is not rewarded for mediocrity. Newark mayor Cory Booker stated that, “We cannot have a superior democracy with an inferior education system.” (Salata, 2010) Will I have 100% of my students every year achieve to state standards? Mostly likely I will not. But as educators, none of us can shy away from the goal of student success in every case. I am not ever going to be the educator that says to a parent, “I’m so sorry, but your child’s life up to this moment has just been too difficult. His failure to meet standards is guaranteed.”

Works Cited:
Balfanz, R., & Legters, N. (2004). Locating the Dropout Crisis. Baltimore: Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed At Risk, Johns Hopkins University.
Rothstein, R., Jacobsen, R., & Wilder, T. (2006). Proficiency for All - an Oxymoron. New York: Campaign for Educational Equity, Teachers College, Columbia University.
Salata, S. (Executive Producer). (2010, September 24). The Oprah Winfrey Show [Television broadcast]. Chicago: Harpo Studios.