Facts to Face

In his book, The Global Achievement Gap, Tony Wagner states some facts Americans need to face as we educate children.  His facts are as follows:

1.  High school graduation rate is at about 70% (behind Denmark, Japan, Poland, and Italy)
2.  Only about 1/3 of U.S. high school students graduate ready for college
3.  65% of college professors report that what is taught in high schools does not prepare students for college
4.  The U.S. ranks 10th among industrial nations in the rate of college completion by 25- to 44-year-olds
5.  Students are graduating from both high school and college unprepared for the world of work  (over 400 employers were surveyed)
6.  Only 47% of 18- to 24-year olds voted in the last presidential election compared to 70% of 34- to 74-year olds

What do these facts say about our current educational system?  I saw many problems with working in the school system - problems with parents not caring, too much emphasis on tests, classroom discipline / attention issues, and lack of genuine concern for individual students from other teachers. 

In the private school, I found a tremendous love for students by all the teachers; however, modern curriculum and basic scientific and technological materials lack.  Scientific principles and technology skills were severely outdated in the students - as well as my fellow teachers. 

Could homeschooling ensure that we hit some of the areas lacking in these deficiencies?  I began reading this book with the intent of discovering what areas I could help my own children attain proficiency so they would graduate, be ready for college, and be well-prepared for the word of work. 

I hope to continue reading and glean from his ideas and observations.  I hope this will inspire others to find a way home school their children.