As a former public high school teacher, I was very shocked and shocked by the education in Oregon abandoned Its statewide high school graduates’ math, reading, and writing ability standards.
On July 14, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a bill to suspend the proficiency standards for high school graduates for three years.
according to Charles BoyleThe governor’s spokesperson said: “SB 744 gives us the opportunity to review our graduation requirements and ensure that our assessment can truly assess the learning of all students.”
Boyle added: “At the same time, it gives students and education in Oregon a chance to regroup after a year and a half of devastation caused by the pandemic.”
This is a rather absurd defense of the bill.
First, the 18-month “disruption” of face-to-face learning in Oregon public schools was not caused by the pandemic. This is caused by politicians, such as Governor Brown.
We know this because private schools in Oregon have been open throughout the pandemic. We also know that public schools in several states including Florida have also been open to face-to-face learning in the past 18 months.
Second, it is effortless to require all students to master basic math, reading and writing skills before they are eligible to graduate.
If public high schools in Oregon cannot ensure that 18-year-old students can read, write, and perform simple mathematical operations, how will these students perform in today’s competitive world?
Unfortunately, the governor of Oregon and public school officials do not seem to care about the career and life prospects of children attending public schools.
This is not only disappointing. This is the negligence of their most basic duty.
Christine Drazin, the Republican leader of the Oregon House of Representatives, expressed disappointment with the new law. She said: “I am worried about passing this bill and we are abandoning our children.”
Drazen is right.
By abandoning graduation requirements, public school leaders in Oregon are a kind of harm to all students.
The goal of public schools is to prepare students for success in life. Abandoning the ancient requirements of reading, writing, and mathematics will make students fail in their lives.
In almost every professional field, reading and writing, or general communication of ideas, are essential skills. Given that the US economy is more service-based than it was decades ago, this becomes even more necessary.
With the increase in automation and the backwardness of unskilled labor, young people in the United States need to be able to read, write, exchange ideas, and perform basic mathematical operations if they want to thrive in modern society.
However, this does not seem to resonate with those in charge of the state’s public school system.
On the contrary, the so-called leaders of the failed public schools in Oregon preferred to lower the standards and remove all responsibility in the process.
Perhaps the worst is that public schools in Oregon have done a terrible job of educating students in the state.
According to the state education analysis in 2021 Valtoub, Oregon ranks 42nd among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. However, Oregon’s “solution” is not to raise the standards, but to eliminate them altogether.
Perhaps the governor of Oregon and public school leaders should consider policies that have a track record of success.
For example, choosing a school is beneficial to all Oregon children trapped in underperforming public schools.
Now, Oregon Each student spends $11,920 per year. Why not directly issue $11,920 to parents so that they can choose the school that best meets their children’s unique needs and circumstances?
For decades, the public school system in Oregon (and the whole country) has almost monopolized education. During this period, students’ performance in mathematics, reading, and writing declined.
Suspending proficiency tests in these core subjects will not help at all. On the other hand, raising performance standards and implementing school choices are a boon for all Oregon families.
Chris Targo ([email protected]) Is the senior editor of The Heartland Institute.
