Something is wrong with our Education System Series.

I want to preface this podcast episode to convey this is in no way a derogatory indication to the students. This episode will be different in two main ways. I am videoing this episode, to allow the content to be applied on differing platforms. Additionally, I am approaching the subject involving America’s education system initially broadly, then in later episodes deeper with more details.

This is a sensitive and emotional subject, and I do not take this lightly. You can follow me on the current platform you are listening to or watching, as I plan to discuss this topic extensively.

Let’s begin.

Recently, I have had the privilege to assist students prepping for their ACT and ASVAB upcoming tests. As with all forms of assistance, an initial pulse check is necessary to see what the current situation is. In regard to education, an evaluation is necessary to see the student’s current understanding of the subjects.

As more students are evaluated, one starts to see a pattern forming. There are certain subject materials showing weakness, and other areas appear as expected. However, when you continue to see weakness, there is a problem. As additional students are evaluated the results continue to emphasize this pattern of weakness.

The pattern I continue to see is a lack of understanding involving the expected education grade level. And this is found regardless of the public school location. This is across the spectrum of the geographic landscape.

Years ago, I watched the documentary, “Waiting for Superman.” If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. You can find it free online, as it was released in 2010. The documentary follows the trail through the education system, identifying the issues involving dropouts, children confined to one choice based on their geography, and overburdened bureaucracies placing administration structure over student needs. This particular documentary stuck with me, and I have always known the education system has issues.

In fact, it is one of the reasons I ran and was voted in as a public school board member, serving a five-year term. I wanted to make a positive change, providing my time and energy. Little did I know then that time and energy are restrained and confined, as a public figure. As one told me, and I reconvey it, once you enter the tent, your hands are tied. I entered the public education system as a School Board Member and found for many things, my hands tied.

There is a stark difference between what you think you can do and legally what you really can do. That distinction is only found, once you cross the line from a concerned parent to a public figure.

What makes quality in a School System?

When one speaks of quality, with regard to a school system, the answers can vary. The first thing you need to do is identify the quality markers. Is it safe? Is it provision in specific topics? Is it providing the students’ needs in nutrition?

As you begin to break this question of quality down, it becomes evident to be a complicated question. Depending on geography, available parental working environment opportunities, the child’s home environment, and many other factors, different answers are inevitable.

Those answers will be dependent on the child’s current status and current needs. One thing we can all agree on is the child’s basic needs must be met before he or she can adequately learn deeply. Morally, we as parents and as a society should provide that child the necessary education to prepare for the future. In my opinion, with what I am seeing, that need is not being met. We are failing the child and limiting their potential as well as their rights for a better future.

What can we honestly do?

Before we can resolve any issue, we need to understand the issue. We need to break it down into the components and subcomponents and review them. Once we understand the structure and infrastructure, we can easier identify the failings, then provide scaffolding to mend them.

Taking a broad view.

For this education series, I want to provide a broad view of our current education system. Then review deeper on the intricacies. Let’s take a look at  Oklahoma and Arkansas.

I am focusing on the public school system with the following.

Oklahoma currently