Time to Improve Ohio’s Education System

“Many things can wait; the child cannot.  Now is the time his bones are being formed; his mind is being developed.  To him we cannot say tomorrow; his time is today.”  Gabriela Mistral, Nobel Laureate

Educating our children is the most important thing we do as a society.  Our children cannot wait for a quality education; they grow up too quickly.  Delaying educational improvements or providing them with a substandard education adversely affects not only their lives, but also the future of Ohio and our country.  We need to educate our children and ensure they have the ability to compete in today’s global market.  We need a world-class education system in Ohio that provides basic skills to function in society, and creative and innovative expertise to thrive in a fast-paced world.  A strong education system is a major component of a prosperous future and strong economy.

Public schools are the foundation of our education system.  Private schools are important too; but the vast majority of Ohio students will continue to be educated in public schools.  Public schools must provide the foundation for students to compete in a global economy and have the creative skills to adapt to an ever-changing world.  As a parent of four children that attended the Lakota Schools, I know first hand the quality education that a public school system can provide.  Lakota has consistently done an outstanding job of educating students and building a strong Ohio.  Lakota students are well prepared to continue their education and many attend the finest universities in the country.  However, Lakota and other strong performing school districts cannot rest; they must continually improve and adapt their program to a changing world.  At the same time, there are other problems facing Ohio public schools that must be addressed.  These problems include both poorly performing schools and low graduation rates.  These problems are statewide; they are more prevalent in some areas and among minority students.  In the 2004-2005 school year 68.4% of African Americans graduated from high school in Ohio, while 89.8% of white students graduated.  We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect different results.  Pouring money into a system that does not work will not change the results; we must change the system.  Public schools can be successful; however creating the environment to improve education will require leadership, community and family support, and a commitment to make it happen.  We must take action now to improve public schools in Ohio.

Regardless of where they live or who they are, all Ohio children deserve a quality education.  Achieving this goal will require broad based support and collaboration among our citizens and communities.  Government leaders, educators, parents, business people, and all others that are interested in a prosperous Ohio need to join this effort. 

Governor Strickland has announced plans to hold regional meetings across Ohio to obtain input and develop a consensus on creating an education system in Ohio that is innovative, personalized and linked to economic prosperity.  These meetings will provide the opportunity for all interested citizens to have input into this very important issue.  Governor Strickland will be hosting a meeting in Cincinnati on July 28, 2008.  A process has been developed for all interested to hold watch parties and then provide input into improving education in Ohio.  Please see:  http://www.ConversationOnEducation.Org

I urge all citizens to get involved in the process; host or attend a watch party.  Send your ideas and comments to the Governor.  We cannot let this opportunity pass.  Every citizen of Ohio has a stake in its success.  Solving this problem will not be easy; if it were, it would already be fixed.  It is time to make our schools work for all Ohio students; they deserve nothing less.  Our future is depending on it.

The above column appeared in the Pulse Journal and Middletown Journal on July 24 and July 25 respectively.