R. Freeman Butts wrote an article for the NEA Journal in 1960 titled Search for Freedom: The Story of American Education. According to Butts "the really important reason for believing in the value of education is that it can be the foundation of freedom. In the first place, a truly democratic society must rest upon the knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom of all people."
We are considered a democratic society, yet education wise, we are not number one. We aren't even number 10. Why is that?
It would seem that education in the United States does not have the value it once did. When I was growing up, there was a push to get a good education and then decide if you would go to college, trade school, or the military. Up until recently, the push was to send as many students as possible to college. Mostly, because of the computer age. Large numbers of students were heading to college and at the same time, many were dropping out. College is not for everyone. We need more trade schools and more on the job training before leaving high school.
Some of the bigger school districts will have a career center on campus. In this career center they will often teach classes dealing with cosmetology, secretarial, computer basics, auto mechanics, welding, woodworking, air conditioning, and a variety of other classes depending on what they can afford and if they can find certified teachers in that field. These centers are a great way to train young people for some kind of skill prior to leaving high school. I took business courses in high school and was able to work as a bookkeeper, secretary, and stenographer until joining the military. I was placed in my first job in my senior year of high school.
As a teacher, I have had many of my students taking classes through the career center. Unfortunately, not all of my students took these classes seriously. They felt that they should be immediately working on some project in these classes. Too many, did not realize that they first had to do the book work before they could apply what they learned. This is a problem with many young people today. They want to jump right in and not learn the basics.
Without a good educational base, children will have a difficult time in the real world. Most jobs require that you at least have a high school diploma and many require that you take a simple reading and math test. Some even require that you take a written exam, in which you must write something that makes sense.
One year I posted information in my classroom that compared how much money you can expect to make if you have a high school diploma, a two year college degree, and a four year college degree. My students were amazed at how much of a difference there was. Of course it depends on the job one has, but right out of high school with no skills one could expect to make between $12,000 and $17,000. With a two year degree from college you could make between $17,000 and $25,000 and with a four year degree you could be looking at $34,000 and more. Unless you go into teaching (which we all know pays considerably less then most jobs).
A good education will help you to achieve your financial goals. It is important, as a parent, that we make our young people understand the value of a good education.
Wendy Greif is a mother and graduate of USF in Special Education. She has taught children with various disabilities in both South Carolina and Florida. Mrs. Greif operates an informational website for parents and caregivers of children and/or adults with special needs ( www.specialneedschildrenandadults.com ).
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