Basic education in America is falling short of what is needed
Basic education in America is falling short of what is needed Bluefield Daily Telegraph
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Report on Education and Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction
Recent years have seen significant criticism directed towards public and higher education systems. Concerns have been raised about the shift from education to indoctrination, with parents facing opposition when voicing their concerns. Unauthorized curriculum changes have been labeled as dishonest and dangerous, with some schools actively encouraging gender changes without parental knowledge.
Political Influence in Education
There is a growing suspicion that colleges and universities are teaching students what to think rather than how to think, pushing political viewpoints on important issues.
Education Spending and Performance
A report by The Daily Signal highlights the alarming statistics of education spending versus performance in various states. New York, for example, spent the most on current expenditures per pupil at $29,284 but only had 28 percent of eighth graders scoring proficient in mathematics and 32 percent in reading.
- Washington, D.C. spent $28,128 per pupil with only 16 percent proficiency in mathematics and 22 percent in reading.
- New Jersey spent $25,550 per pupil with better proficiency rates of 33 percent in mathematics and 42 percent in reading.
- Vermont and Connecticut followed with spending of $25,073 and $23,868 respectively, showing proficiency rates below 40 percent.
- Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire spent less but had similar or slightly better proficiency rates.
- Utah and Idaho spent significantly less per pupil but did not perform worse than higher-spending systems.
Catholic Schools Performance
Catholic schools, where parents pay tuition in addition to taxes for public education, showed better performance on NAEP tests than public schools. The average tuition for Catholic elementary schools was $4,840 and for high schools was $11,240.
Impact of COVID-19 on Education
The FY2022 data was affected by COVID-19, but the numbers were not significantly lower than the previous survey from FY2019. However, any school system with less than 50 percent student proficiency has a serious problem.
National Assessment of Educational Progress Report Card
The NAEP Report Card for 2022 revealed a decline in reading scores compared to 2019. Only two states had higher reading scores in 2022 than in 2019. NCES data shows a rise in math and reading scores from FY1990/1991 until FY2012 before dropping in FY2022.
Conclusion
The future of our country depends on well-educated younger generations. The current data indicates that we are not meeting the need for high-level functioning individuals. This raises concerns about achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education.
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
- SDG 5: Gender Equality – Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
Addressing these issues is crucial for the progress towards these goals and the overall development of society.
Analysis of the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The article addresses issues that are connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 4: Quality Education
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Specific targets under SDG 4 that can be identified based on the article’s content include:
- Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
- Target 4.c: By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people at the end of each education level who have achieved at least a minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics.
- Indicator 4.c.1: Proportion of teachers with the minimum required qualifications, by education level.
4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.1: Complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education with relevant and effective learning outcomes. | Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.c: Increase the supply of qualified teachers. | Indicator 4.c.1: Proportion of teachers with the minimum required qualifications, by education level. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: bdtonline.com
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