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NATION AT RISK…AGAIN. Despite a need for mastery of science which leads to growth in tech and innovation, US public school student achievement has remained relatively flat at a failing score for 8th and 12th graders and lower for students in 4th grade. (Hmmm… didn’t science used to be robust, and fun? When it’s taught well…) The results of this science NAEP from 2019, aka the Nation’s Report Card, found 36% of 4th graders, 35% of 8th graders and 22% of 8th graders are at or above proficient.  The scores were not significantly different in math or reading.  This level of mediocrity has been steady for at least a decade. In the meantime, the unions fight over desk distancing in classrooms.



CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SOAR, THOUGH.  NAEP scores have also shown that parochial students consistently outscore their public school peers. Whether math, reading or now science, Catholic schools do better, even with disadvantaged students. Overall, their 4th-grade proficiency was 47%, a full 12 points higher than the public school average, 48% for 8th graders. Time to bury bigotry in the form of Blaine Amendments and open the door to opportunity for all.

PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL. Just look at Yuma Aztec Charter High School which offers its students a “second chance”, and they say it’s the only one of its kind in the country operated by a County Juvenile Court system. The school not only emphasizes academics but also helps students get jobs in summer and upon graduation.   Also smart – Pensacola State College is working to open a new charter school targeted at high school students who are from military families or are considered at-risk.  The school will provide students an opportunity to earn college credits and graduate high school with an associate degree. El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills, CA  just captured the school’s FIFTH academic decathlon crown in an online competition. Students at the Philadelphia Performing Arts String Theory Charter School created a book aimed at kids in Rwanda. Putting “theory” into practice, their book ‘Under One Sky: Baskets of Fun, Under One Sun,’ is 36 pages of beautiful imagery and poetry to help preschoolers in Rwanda learn English.

CDC NEEDS THIS CHILD-CENTRIC ADVICE.  NOW. Millions of parents are still confused about school return plans in summer and fall, not to mention the vast majority of less advantaged families who naturally have trepidation about sending their kids back to schools that have been a mess historically. Brown University’s Emily Oster, who has been a voice of reason – and science – throughout the pandemic and has tracked school openings asks and answers the critical question  and begs the CDC to do the same  – “What’s safe for kids now?”  

RANDI & FRIENDS WILL COST US A TRILLION $. Aside from the social and academic costs, the heavy economic costs are now even more clear in this new study from the Wharton School of Economics, which estimates the cost for America to be over a trillion dollars. That is just the GDP of lost future earnings – estimated to be millions more – as kids are continuously kept out of classrooms.  Return kids to their schools, give them opportunities to learn over the summer and the loss goes down.

IT’S NOT ABOUT BBQs.  It’s a time to remember and honor those brave men and women who died in battle defending this extraordinary place we call America.   We are talking about Memorial Day, and a good occasion to teach your children well about the nation that continues to move “toward a more perfect union” (Quiz your kids – where is that written). So have that burger and beer but engage your friends and neighbors on what it is really about. And be safe!