Public education has long been heralded as the cornerstone of our democracy and the foundation of our future. However, the state of our public schools reveals a system that is fundamentally broken. Several critical issues contribute to this dire situation: inadequate funding, an outdated curriculum, an overemphasis on standardized testing, unhappy and underpaid teachers, and underqualified legislators shaping policy. These problems are not just isolated issues but interconnected factors that collectively undermine the quality of education. It's time to acknowledge these faults and advocate for a comprehensive overhaul to rebuild a system that truly serves our children and society.

Inadequate Funding & Outdated System

Despite the crucial role education plays in individual and societal development, many schools operate on shoestring budgets. With the federal government picking up less than 10% of the overall costs, and state budget contributing roughly 40%, this leaves the majority of funding needs in the hands of local government. Property taxes make up most of the difference. This chronic underfunding manifests in various ways: dilapidated buildings, outdated textbooks, insufficient supplies, and the absence of essential programs. Without proper funding, schools cannot provide necessary resources, nor can they support an environment conducive to learning.

Outdated Curriculum

Our current curriculum is another major flaw in the public school system. Ask any random high school student to show you their schedule. Review it and reflect on what your schedule looked like years ago. See any similarities? If so, shouldn't this change?

Designed decades ago, the curriculum fails to address the evolving needs of the 21st-century learner. While the world has seen unprecedented technological advancements and shifts in the job market, the educational content has remained largely stagnant. Students are often taught using methods and materials that do not prepare them for contemporary challenges or equip them with relevant skills. To truly educate our youth, we need a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability, reflecting the dynamic nature of our world.

Overemphasis on Standardized Testing

Standardized testing has become the dominant force in public education, shaping not only assessment but also instruction. The overemphasis on these tests has several detrimental effects. It narrows the curriculum, as teachers are pressured to "teach to the test," focusing on test-taking skills rather than deeper understanding. Secondly, it creates a high-stress environment for both students and educators, with significant consequences for mental health. Finally, it fails to account for diverse learning styles and intelligences, reducing education to a one-size-fits-all model that ignores individual potential and creativity.

Unhappy, Underpaid Staff, Teachers, & Administrators

Teachers are the backbone of the educational system, yet they are often undervalued and underpaid. The low salaries not only affect their quality of life but also impact their motivation and performance. Many teachers work second jobs to make ends meet, leading to burnout and high turnover rates. The same can be said about other critical staff, such as bus drivers, maintenance workers,nsupport staff, etc. The absence of of a respectable level of pay contributes to low morale, and low performance. Happy, well-compensated teachers and staff are crucial for creating a positive and effective learning environment. When educators and other key personnel feel valued and supported, they can inspire and nurture their students more effectively.

Underqualified Legislators Shaping Policy

Education policy is often shaped by legislators who lack firsthand experience or expertise in the field of education. These policymakers make critical decisions that affect millions of students and educators, yet their understanding of the complexities and nuances of education is often non existent. This disconnect leads to misguided policies that do not address the real needs of schools and students. Effective educational reform requires informed and experienced leadership that prioritizes the voices of educators and stakeholders directly involved in the educational process.

A Call for Overhaul

Given these profound issues, it is evident that mere incremental changes are insufficient. The public school system requires a fundamental overhaul. Solutions should include:

1. A Change to an Outdated Funding System: Every two years, there seems to be tax referendum that is needed in order to pay for many areas of deficiencies. This often includes capital outlay funds to help pay for much needed school facility upgrades. Rarely is any of this money ever slated for personnel. The bottom line is that the current system does not provide nearly enough.  Stakeholders need to re-evaluate the funding structure and brainstorm creative ideas to generate additional funding, some of which may be generated outside of the traditional system. It's time to start including local, regional, national and international companies in our backyard, and invite them to have a seat at the table. We should be asking them how the system can help them, and responding in kind with how they can help ro reshape the system. The existing model does not provide enough. It never has.

2. Shift priorities in spending: Who are we including to evaluate what we are spending money on?Are we spending too much money with companies that facilitate standardized tests and develop curricular resources that support teaching to the test? Should we continue to give huge amounts of money to textbook publishing companies who only make slight changes to curricular resources? Are we paying enough attention to the inevitable, rapid changing tech environment? Should we look closer at contracts that are awarded, especially those that are not maintaining their commitment? Are we spending enough on school safety protocols that include more mental health resources? A closer look at each year's budget is needed, and the eyes looking at this should include stakeholders that are outside the education profession. How about leaning on the folks in our communuity that know a thing or two about managing financial resources?

3. Modernized Curriculum: Develop a curriculum that reflects current realities and future demands. More technology integration, critical thinking skills, a greater emphasis on creative thinking, important life skills, etc. should to be taugt alongside academic knowledge. Embrace risk taking, champion creativity, and challenge students to ask questions. We are no longer in the industrial revolution, and its time to reshape our school system to fit our modern, constantly evolving world of work.

4. Balanced Assessment: Shift away from the overreliance on standardized tests. Implement diverse assessment methods that recognize different learning styles and foster holistic development.

5. Support for all Educational Staff: Increase salaries and provide professional development opportunities. Create a supportive work environment that values and respects the profession, reducing burnout and improving retention. 

6. Informed Policymaking: Ensure that education policies are crafted by individuals with expertise and experience in education. Engage educators and stakeholders in the decision-making process to create policies that truly benefit students.

In conclusion, the current state of our public school system is a clear indication that the system is broken. The issues of inadequate funding, our current state of spending priorities, outdated curriculum, overemphasis on standardized testing, unhappy and underpaid education professionals, and underqualified legislators require urgent attention. It is time for a comprehensive overhaul to address these underlying problems and build an education system that empowers every student to reach their full potential. Only through bold and transformative action can we create a future where public education fulfills its promise as the foundation of our society and the key to our collective success.