The Observer, February 16, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 17
Editorial: Cleveland schools failing; students have ability to help
With thousands of university students and abundant amounts of research taking place at Case and other institutions, Cleveland is no doubt a hotbed of academia and scientific research. Though Case has been boasted by many as the top university in Ohio and is well-known for its strong science curriculum, the opposite can probably be said of the educational facilities in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Standardized test figures have revealed that Cleveland public school students are falling far behind in the sciences. According to 2005 test data released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Cleveland had the smallest percentage of fourth and eighth-graders proficient in science when compared to 10 other major cities in the country. However, Cleveland schools are not the only ones feeling the heat. Fourth-graders in nine out of the ten surrounding districts had lower average scores than public school students nationally, and eighth-graders in all 10 districts scored below the national averages. In addition to the dismal scores, recent setbacks have continued to hinder the education of public school students. Budget cuts have resulted in the loss of more than 1000 teaching positions as well as a lack of adequate teaching materials.
In a world that is becoming increasingly science and technology-oriented, an education without a solid foundation in these subjects may lead to serious disadvantages when trying to break into the job market. On a greater level though, education is the key to many life-changing opportunities and every student should at least have the chance to fulfill his or her dreams. Now that the facts have been presented and the situation is crystal clear, it's obvious that further speculation and criticisms are far from helpful. A strategic plan and a pooling of the rich academic resources already available in Cleveland are currently needed.
Since 2002, the university has been in partnership with the Cleveland public school system to provide the training needed for math and science teachers. By 2008, about 230 teachers are expected to have gone through the program. Case has taken a step in the right direction by supporting post-secondary education to low-income and potential first-generation college school students through the Upward Bound and Talent Search programs. Though some of these ventures are in their infancy, we can only hope that the help being offered now will continue to touch greater amounts of students in priceless ways.
Already established programs such as the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization and the tutoring program at the Church of the Covenant are two fairly easy ways to make an immediate difference with your knowledge. By guiding young students, you will essentially be helping them pave their own way to a brighter future.
Listed above are only a few of the many ways to lend a helping hand. Opportunities to help resolve this issue are diverse and numerous; all you really need to do is look. As students, we are the ones who have the abilities to turn words into actions, and actions into results. The problems have already been identified and it is now our turn to address them.
