Kansas education initiative is more of the old

“Kansas education aims higher” (Aug. 9 Eagle) is about a retread of several generations of ideas of how a student should be able to learn in the course of 12 years of school.

We have long known that legislators who are businessmen and businesswomen are not educators but profit from their successes. The demands of businessmen and businesswomen are not the determiners of a well-educated student.

We have long known that that vocational education should begin in elementary school, with school being the first job of a young person.

We have long known that the intent of the Carnegie Unit is to have some quasi-statistical means to measure progress in a subject, as well as to provide some common knowledge in the populace as a whole. Replacing a “standard English unit” with making speeches is nonsensical, as achievement in one leads to more probable success in the other. Credit in speech class is available, and for the intelligent, debate is also available.

In addition, success in the Carnegie unit courses teaches methods of learning, teaches material which might prove of interest in a vocation, and can be extended through independent study designed to push that experience to the next level. In addition, the completion of such courses indicates a person’s willingness to bend to a discipline. We know that postsecondary education is necessary almost everywhere now, and our current generation is least well prepared for discipline.

We now know that teachers have status in society slightly above house cleaners, as is reflected in remuneration. In 1970, I recommended that teacher salaries (mine then was $20,000) be immediately elevated to $40,000 for those who maintained track and step requirements, thus eliminating teachers with life certificates who had no incentive to further their education beyond the initial degree. That would no longer work, since many of those teachers are no longer with us. But the elimination of track and step removed the only carrot the schools used to offer.

Today our legislators resist funding at a level that would stay or reverse current inadequacies. In addition, the districts’ failure to recognize the impact of computer learning, which lessens the need for brick and mortar facilities, means that money spent for those (such as Southeast High) will soon prove to be inadequate. This takes away from money for teachers’ pay, for teachers’ learning though conferences, and teachers’ willingness to shape minds and behavior that is unappreciated by the public.

A highly motivated, well-supported teacher at the top of his or her game is the only variable that a district can change that will make any difference.

This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 4:31 AM with the headline "Kansas education initiative is more of the old."