[an error occurred while processing this directive]

LATEST SUBMISSIONS

Reading the only sure thing in life

Thursday, April 19 at 12:01 AM

This Speakout has not been edited

By Francis M. Miller, Parker

Spring is when students traditionally turn their attention to high school graduation and college admission tests. But statistics suggest that less than half our high school graduates will go on to college and, in some districts, half of incoming high-schoolers can be expected to drop out before getting a diploma. The 50% in the middle will soon be forced to make decisions that will influence heavily many aspects of their future life.

It seems like from the time you are 16 years old there are distractions and insurmountable obstacles to continuing one’s education. Many of us old ‘fogeys’ know because we experienced it ourselves. Parents often send mixed signals about college, either because they are hard pressed to help finance it or they are projecting their own personal life history on the situation. My grandfather quit school after the 8th grade and my father never completed high school.

Unfortunately, school authorities can often do more harm than help. In my personal case the high school coach, who doubled in the off-season as a counselor, interviewed me in my senor year. When he asked my plans, I informed him that, of course, I was going to college. (It was 1968 and the Vietnam War and draft were a big consideration) He whipped out the results of an intelligence test I had supposedly taken at some point and strongly suggested that I consider the plumbing or electrical trades.

In his mind it would still be a step-up from my grandfather and dad who were working class stiffs.

I walked out of that meeting devastated. By the next day I had become angry, and determined to prove him wrong and go to college. I attended the only college that would admit me; by today’s standards it would be on a par with one of Colorado’s community colleges. I soon discovered that when I could pick my own classes and teachers I really enjoyed learning.

Somehow the girls, pizza and beer all tasted better in college than high school. I ended up getting a degree and would have become a professional student if I hadn’t been drafted after all. And while it took me until my forties, I now have four college degrees including a masters degree from the University of Colorado, Graduate School of Public Policy.

The real point here is that many of my high school assumptions turned out false when I got to college. In high school I was labeled an underachiever and suspected of having learning disabilities. My college professors, on the other hand, saw me as gifted. I compensated for my attention-deficit disorder by overloading myself with classes and keeping so busy at a part-time job that I had to stay focused.

I was overweight in high school, but lost 50lbs and bought a car to replace my bicycle. Left to my own devices I was able to transform the situation. I came to realize that families and school systems are often so dysfunctional they can be more of a hindrance than help.

During the past couple of years I have spent a lot of time looking over high school curricula and have come to some conclusions. I think we may be trying to teach too much content and not enough of the process of learning-how-to-learn. I dare say that the requirements laid out by school experts could not be passed by the teachers themselves, much less the governor, school board members, or state legislators.

What is the purpose of making high school such a drag that students drop out and WalMart has to teach them how to add? McDonalds probably teaches more young immigrants English than the schools. Only a high school student destined to be a scientist needs a 900 in math on the SAT. Most accountants or psychologists need little more than a programmable calculator. I suggest we test, students, teachers, parents, policy makers- everyone and do it on a curve. I’ll bet most students will test above average and it will be the adults who need remediation.

The Promise!

My experience with young adults is that they crave validation far more than unsolicited advice. But, let me share with you the one and only thing I know absolutely for sure. Your life will be different with a high school diploma than without one. If you somehow manage to get a college degree, your life will almost certainly be different than without it. Same thing goes for a masters or PhD.

There is nothing else in life that I can guarantee you will influence your life with as much certainty as an education. I can also assure you that the dominant factor that will determine whether you get an education will not be your race, religion, sex, good looks or class status. It will be your ability to read. That is really the decision you are making every day and, it determines the rest of your life.

READER COMMENTS