Educational Fear

Posted by Ty Fischer on Oct 5, 2009 10:33:00 AM

Two stories have been published in the local papers recently concerning educational progress at the local public schools. I have been waiting for someone to put the two numbers together, but they have not—or I have not seen it. Together they raise some fairly substantial fears for me—and they should for you. Before I jump into this analysis, which will be critical, I need to remind you of what is deep in my heart.

I do not glory or gloat at problems in the public schools. The problems of the McCaskey District or of public education in general are our problems. I say this not because I am going to agree with many in public education about how to fix the problems—I am not. I believe that Jesus Christ is the center of all wisdom and knowledge. Any attempt at education with out Him at the center will fail. I maintain, however, that their problems are our problems because we live in one community. Recently, there was a story (see my post of September 19th) on the falling SAT scores here in the county. I highlighted a number of things. Here is the scariest snippet:
The top public districts scores are 1623 out of 2400 for

Manheim Township (sadly, the worst public district is 1270 out of 2400 at McCaskey). This, however, is not the most frightening stat. At Veritas our 1300ish average is the result of testing 100% of our seniors. On average the public districts are only reporting scores for 59% of their students (at McCaskey it is only 44%).

Manheim Township (sadly, the worst public district is 1270 out of 2400 at McCaskey). This, however, is not the most frightening stat. At Veritas our 1300ish average is the result of testing 100% of our seniors. On average the public districts are only reporting scores for 59% of their students (at McCaskey it is only 44%).

The top public districts scores are 1623 out of 2400 for

Manheim Township (sadly, the worst public district is 1270 out of 2400 at McCaskey). This, however, is not the most frightening stat. At Veritas our 1300ish average is the result of testing 100% of our seniors. On average the public districts are only reporting scores for 59% of their students (at McCaskey it is only 44%).

Manheim Township (sadly, the worst public district is 1270 out of 2400 at McCaskey). This, however, is not the most frightening stat. At Veritas our 1300ish average is the result of testing 100% of our seniors. On average the public districts are only reporting scores for 59% of their students (at McCaskey it is only 44%).

The scariest part is, of course, that the McCaskey district is producing students who would barely be academically eligible to participate in NCAA sports as freshman. That is terrifying! What is worse? This student is in the top 44% of McCaskey students—the rest did not take the test or did not have their scores counted. Yikes!

Now, for the zinger! This week the paper reported that graduation rates in the local districts are up. The McCaskey district is up by 16%. This year 82% of McCaskey students graduated. Good news, right? Wrong! Put the two statistics together. Basically, the test say that these kids are not getting the education that they need—the top 44% are averaging a little better than 400 on the three tests—yet we are graduating 82% of the students. How can this be? How can the paper not now put these facts together and raise a cry for change? I do not know the answers to these questions. Christians in the county have got to wake up. We can not turn a blind eye to the problems of the city and the education being given to the poor. Christ calls on us to reach out in love. These kids are not being given the education that they need. We would not see our kids receive an education like this. We will pay taxes for students who receive an education that does not make them employable—whether they receive a diploma and a pat on the back or not.