Bigotry of Low Expectations

I have thought about this editorial for a long time. It is a topic that weighs heavy on my heart and I have delayed writing it because I am afraid I will not do it justice. The nature of this subject requires a much more eloquent writer. With that said, I will ask for permission to speak freely. Look past my inability to give the topic justice and give thought to the subject I am trying to elevate.

In 1983, the seminal report on the nation’s failing education system stated that America suffered from the “soft bigotry of low expectations.” In other words we had given up on certain segments of our society’s ability to learn. That was true then for our nation and it is true today for our local community. That hurts. Before you react to that raw statement, consider these facts.

According to the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and the CRCT testing, our community’s schools perform at or near the state average. At first blush, that would be acceptable. We are finally testing at the state average. The problem is that by virtually every standard, our state is at the bottom in educational performance.

I am not going to bore you with countless study after study that shows America’s educational performance is at the bottom of the industrialized nations and our state is at the bottom of America’s performance. That should disturb and challenge every one of us. Why are we content to perform at the state average of one of the worst performing states in the country? Why don’t we expect more from our schools and students? This complacency is well known to our education establishment.

Several years ago, I met with Dr. Ed Smith, our previous school superintendent. As we discussed the challenges he faced, he made a statement that was shocking in its honesty and consequences. He stated that due to No Child Left Behind (NCLB) testing requirements, the school system had to adapt the curriculum to ensure the highest probability to achieve success per the measures established by NCLB and the state. In doing so, he stated that the schools would have to go it alone. In other words, they could not count on the parents to be an integral part of a child’s education. They did not have time to involve the parents.

Wow, that is a damning statement. The schools cannot count on the parents to be an integral part of the child’s education. How can that be? Was Dr. Smith crazy? Was he wrong? I don’t think so. Of course there are parents who are involved and their child can get a good education in Troup county. However, this is the exception rather than the norm.

On a systemic basis our schools turn out students who will perform poorly by objective, national and international standards. Far too many will be educated to the level of a fast-food clerk not to the standards needed to function in today’s global information or manufacturing society.

Why does this happen? Because, as a community, we don’t care. We have low expectations of our students and in turn the teachers and the school system. I know we are a blue-collar community, but that does not excuse our general lack of parental involvement in our schools. We make time for football, baseball, hunting, etc. What effort do we make to help children excel in our schools?

I know this is hard to face. But ask yourself this question? Why do so many transfers to our community choose to live elsewhere? Simple – education. They see a school system that churns out burger flippers rather than college graduates or technicians. They see other communities were education is at the core of the community’s identity. When given a choice, they choose to live elsewhere.

LaGrange (Troup) is America’s Greatest Little City. I love that bumper sticker. I love our sense of pride. I love the fact that Wednesdays are still slower than other days so presumably we can go to church that evening. I love the sense of community around our parks and recreation facilities that teach teamwork and sportsmanship to all children. I love our commitment to maintaining a vibrant downtown. These traits set us apart from other communities.

However, the same cannot be said of our community’s commitment to educating all of our children, not just the few whose parents take an active interest. We are average at best in a below average state. We do not live up to the bumper sticker in that regard. As a community, do we really aspire to be great in education? If not, we perpetuate the bigotry of low expectations our children and our community will suffer from it. If you have any comments or have a desire to make us great in education, contact me at jkirkhancock@yahoo.com. Maybe we can get something started.