A Novel Approach: Political Debate That Illuminates vs. Obscures

Given the uncivil discourse that's dominated most of the health care reform debate, should those of us who place children at the center of our decision making approach the coming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) with anticipation or dread?

ASCD Executive Director Gene R. Carter, in his November "Is It Good for the Kids?" column, reminds us of three key points: each child's success must be the key criterion for any education reform; any education policies that we create must translate into sound practices; and debate must illuminate issues, rather than obscure them.

Think reauthorization of ESEA can—or should—wait? Consider just a few sobering statistics:

• 27 percent of America's young people drop out of high school.

• Recent international tests in math and science show our students trail their peers in other countries.

• Just 40 percent of young people earn a two-year or four-year college degree.

• The United States now ranks 10th in the world in the rate of college completion for 25- to 34-year-olds.

ASCD members are unified in our call for reform of our nation's education law and stand ready to do our part. We advocate for the federal government to play a leadership role in equity and access for disadvantaged and special-needs student populations, support the development and training of highly effective educators, encourage effective education policies and services for every stage of a student's development, and promote innovative strategies and programs for 21st century students to be successful.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently urged us all to "roll up our sleeves and work together and get beyond differences of party, politics, and philosophy." Isn't it time that we demand each of our elected officials answer the following question: where do you stand on education?

(Post submitted by Barbara Michelman, ASCD Communications Director)