Education’s Big Error Is Mistaking Advancement For Achievement | Opinion
Summary
Recent data show that many U.S. high school seniors are not meeting basic levels in reading and math, raising questions about whether students are truly learning or just advancing through grades. Experts suggest focusing education more on actual skills and understanding rather than just time spent in classrooms.Key Facts
- U.S. high school seniors’ average reading and math scores are the lowest in decades, since 1992 and 2005 respectively.
- About 45% of 12th-graders scored below the basic math level, and 32% scored below the basic reading level, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
- The current education system emphasizes time spent in classrooms and grade advancement rather than mastery of skills.
- Some propose using brain science to design education focused on cognitive skill development, such as the idea of a “20 Minute School Day” for focused brain training.
- There are mixed opinions on brain training programs; some research questions if improvements in exercises improve overall learning or real-world skills.
- Student disengagement is an issue, with over 30% of students in 20 states missing more than three weeks of school in 2022-23.
- The No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 was an important federal effort to improve education and reduce inequality.
- Critics worry about adding new programs given current demands on schools and whether cognitive training has broad benefits beyond specific tasks.
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