GUEST COMMENTARY-We spend a lot of money on education but what we accomplish with that money is a disgrace. Too many students graduate from high school who can't read, write, spell, or even fill out a job application, so the community colleges have had to become remedial institutions to make up for the failings of the lower grades.
We knew what worked years ago, high expectations, high standards, and strong discipline. Instead we have tried every new fad and gimmick in the book, instead of focusing on what we knew worked. We need to go back to the basics and we need more accountability. We must also remember that the schools are primarily there for the students and not the employees. The employees have an important role to play but so do other stakeholders such as taxpayers and business leaders.
The phrase I hear most often from students who attend community colleges is it gave them a second chance, a second chance to learn a skill or trade, a second chance to go to a four year school, and a second chance at life long learning. The community colleges serve all these purposes, but I believe their primary focus should be on teaching new skills and trades. As it is, too many students go to four year institutions, only to graduate deeply in debt, with few marketable skills.
We need to understand the increasing role that the community colleges can play in the life of our students as we work together to fix our schools.
(Mark Isler is Candidate for Community College Board, Office # 1. Reach him at MarkIsler.com)
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CityWatch
Vol 13 Issue 12
Pub: Feb 10, 2015
