December 15, 2002

Counting Our Blessings

Reg Weaver
President, NEA

Free, quality, public education are four of the sweetest words in the English language. For me, they mean high expectations, quality teachers and education support professionals, the latest technology and modern facilities-a school system that is well-funded.

I agree with John Adams, who said over 200 years ago: "The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people and be willing to bear the expense of it."

Public education is the great equalizer. In our public schools, it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from; it doesn't matter the color of your skin or your religion, if you are rich or poor, or even if you can't speak English. Public schools will accept you-and the teachers and staff will educate you.

Public education is about the sons and daughters of ordinary Americans becoming the first in their families ever to attend college.

But in spite of all of the positive accomplishments of public schools, public education is under attack in a manner that is unprecedented. Those with an agenda to voucherize and privatize public education charge that public education is "a system in collapse." Americans, however, remain staunchly loyal to public schools. They have not deserted public schools in droves, as the Chicken Littles predicted. Nine out of 10 children in the United States today attend public school.

What's more, a quiet revolution in achievement is underway in our schools.

• The proportion of 4th, 8th, and 12th graders reaching the two highest levels of achievement in reading has increased steadily since 1992 and hit the highest point ever in the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading tests.
• Math scores have increased for all age groups on NAEP tests, and the proportion of students reaching the highest two levels of achievement in math has doubled for grade 4, increased 80 percent for grade 8, and risen 41 percent for grade 12.
• More students are taking tougher courses than ever before: The percentage of students who completed a core academic curriculum of 4 years of English and 3 years each of mathematics, science, and social studies has increased fourfold since 1982.
• The average SAT scores continue to rise. Verbal SAT scores have increased 6 points since 1990, while math SAT scores have risen 22 points since 1980 and 13 points since 1990.
• The percentage of students completing high school is the highest in American history, as is the proportion of high school graduates who have gone on to complete a bachelor's degree or higher.

But as public educators, we are not satisfied. We know that our students can and will do even better when class sizes are reduced, qualified and certified teachers are recruited and retained, schools are adequately and equitably funded, and parental involvement is increased.

So while we can count our blessings, we will not rest until every child attends a public school as good as our very best public schools.

Reg Weaver

President, National Education Association

1201 16th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20036

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