The Purpose of Schooling

"...This is an intolerable situation. Illiteracy is not a fact of life, but a consequence of inaction on the part of governments and societies. Its consequences are pervasive and powerful. If we wish to combat poverty, injustice and the violence that so often results from them, we must begin by mobilizing minds through education and literacy."

-Former UNESCO Director-General Frederico Mayor

Two weeks ago, I attended a meeting for schools in which a variety of employees were present including a mix of teachers and administrators. In an early session, the presenter asked what I thought was a pretty common question. As she addressed the group, she asked, "Why do we offer students advanced courses in school?" Around the room, a low murmur of voices arose as people conversed with their neighbors. People began to tentatively offer their suggestions--to provide our students with challenges, to prepare them for college, to gain college credits, to raise expectations for all involved. The presenter then asked what our measures of success would be if not a single student passed an advanced placement exam, for example. Now the room fumbled for answers, eventually deciding that the experience was important for students.

Our presenter then began to speak to us. She said that 30 years ago, to be a fully functioning adult it was necessary to be on a 10th grade reading level. On a 10th grade level, you could read a military text, read newspapers, and fill out your tax forms. She then said that in the past 30 years, times had changed and that now to be a fully functioning adult it was necessary to be on a 15th grade reading level. She said that every time she asks a group about the purpose of advanced courses, she hears answers like college credit and preparation. Her challenge to us was to think about how necessary advanced courses are for life, how our job as educators is to prepare students not only for college and work but also for their daily lives.

For the past few weeks, this conversation has haunted me. I find myself looking for information often. One source I found reports some very eye-opening statistics (Literacy Statistics). The article estimates that 1 in 5 American adults cannot read beyond a 5th grade reading level. On average, it reads, Americans watch over 5000 hours of television (more time than it takes to earn a bachelor's degree) before entering kindergarten. Only 10% of the American population account for over 70% of the nation's reading. What's more, it reads, there is a strong correlation between daily reading time and success in school and on tests; the top 2% of students read more than 65 minutes a day while the bottom 10% read for less than 1/10 of a minute. In doing only a few minutes of research, one can find hundreds of similar statistics--our students do poorly in comparison to other countries on tests, our teachers have difficulty with exams that other nations' students must pass to matriculate.

As a teacher at a school with a college and career focus, I have thought a lot and spoken a lot to students about pushing toward higher education. I work to connect our daily learning to college and career fields and success. After hearing this presenter, however, I am beginning to zoom out, to see my field in an even broader and more urgent context. If I am not successful with my students in reaching our goals, my students may not only be unprepared for college and career, they may be unprepared to file their taxes or complete a job application. I feel invigorated and rededicated to the purpose of my profession--preparing literate adults for today's world and successful tomorrows.