Boy Scout Troop 325
By George Denise, Scoutmaster
One of the things that makes our government and our society in general so sucessful is that it is based on competition and a system of advocacy. On any given issue, whether it is in the courts, or in politics, or simply a social debate, we identify the two sides of the issue and then we invite each side to present their best representatives to present their best arguments. Then we the people (or our elected representatives) decide who or which side makes the most sense. The idea is that only by creating this competition will we truly get the best presentation of both sides on which to base our decision.
Sometimes, however, there is a negative side. For example, in valuing our public schools. Those who want to send their children to private schools, or charter schools, or who want to home school their children and would like their share of public school funds to support their efforts often argue that the public schools are failing and they need to turn to these alternatives.
On the other side, the teachers unions often make the argument that public schools are failing because education is under-funded, classes are too large, and teachers are under paid.
Both groups, in trying to make their case, help to create a picture that our public schools are poorly run, and that we are failing our students.
Now I believe in private schools, charter schools, and home schooling. They all can be successful alternatives to public schools that often test new ideas and new ways of doing things that are often incorporated into the public school system if they work well. But don't sell public schools short. American public schools are the most successful schools in the world. More Americans graduate from high school than ever before in our history, and more than in any other country in the world. More Americans graduate from college than ever before, and more than in any other country in the world.
For example, in 1940, only 25% of the American population had graduated from high school. By 1970, 55% of our population had graduated from high school. Today, fully 87% of our population has graduated from high school.
In 1940, only 4.6% of our population had graduated from college. By 1970, that number was up to 11%. Today, 24% of our population has graduated from college, more than in any other country in the world.
Another indicator. You probably have an idea what SAT tests are. You may have heard that the highest average score nationally for SATs was achieved in 1973, and that they have gone down since then. That's kind of true. The highest average score for SATs nationally was in 1973. As only the college bound students took the SAT in 1973, only about the top 12% of students actually took the test. Interestingly enough, the second highest SAT scores were achieved just last year. The average score was just a fraction of one percent below the 1973 average. However, over 50% of high school students took the SAT last year. That means the top 50% of last year's high school students did virtually as well as the top 12% of high school students in 1973, our so-called best year ever.
There are lots of things that can be improved in our public schools. There are lots of problems. They are a long way from perfect. That can be said of almost anything devised by man. But the American public schools are the best in the world, they are the best they have ever been, and they continue to improve, in part because of the competition from many of their critics.
Perhaps most importantly, it is important that you know that whether you go to public school, private school, charter school, or are home schooled, you are part of the best-educated generation this world has ever seen.
Don't you forget it! Thank you, and God be with you!