Educational Success or lack thereof

Like many of us, I read with disbelief on Friday that statistically speaking, young people in school now has less chance of graduating (from High School) than their parents and grandparents. This is appalling. I have many teachers in my extended family. They are all very dedicated to their profession. Most of them see it as a Vocation or Call. And as I talk to them, they are all exhausted and worried about their students.
It is easy to label it an education problem. It is equally easy to blame the teacher. But the teachers, the various Departments of Education or the Legislatures. The all have problem people, problem decisions, budget problems, but they are not the problem.
We are the problem.
We are responsible.
We let the situation to develop, evolve and dump in the bucket.
One of my favorite relatives is fond of blaiming "them" for anything from speed limits to street signs to what is served at dinner at her Retirement Center. She has helped me remember the old quote:
" I have met the enemy...and it is I."
Now don't get the idea I am abdicating responsibility to anyone or accepting it all for myself. This is a cultural and national issue.
And again...we are all responsible. Who sits on the School Board of your community? Who sits on Senate or Congressional Committee's that impact on our Education standards? When is the last time you attended a Parent Teachers Association?
Do you read with your pre-schooler? Who checks homework at your home. What is more important....Football practice or finishing a term paper?
My experience as a vacation Bible School teacher teaches me that more parents ask "did you have fun?" before or instead of "what did you learn"? We schedule "play dates" but few "enrichment" dates. I will leave my thoughts on news reports of recent "field trips" in California for another day.
We best wake up and smell the mildewing textbooks. Our children are more apt to use online/text messaging slang and abbreviations that appropriate content, spelled correctly.
For me, I have held this epidemic in prayer for some time. I also have a vision of some of the warriors against this plague. According to the last census, 36.8% of America is over age 47. Not all of us are golfers or snowbirds. Most did graduate. Increasingly we are retiring from industry earlier and living longer. This generation has the time, talent and ability. It is not our's to "fix" alone. But we sure could and should be involved.
We could stand in the GAP for our kids, grandkids and the preservation of our great Nation.
We have a long record of accepting responsibility. Multi-Generational Family Faithfulness involves assisting our families to have a good quality of life here and and eternal reward.
Blessings,
AmmaKate