Real Educational Equity
The language of equity in contemporary education debates
tends to mask progressive political radicalism aimed at reducing our
expectations of students. Conservatives are right to decry such attitudes. But
instead of rejecting equity outright, they should appeal to a more
straightforward definition of the term. To achieve real equity among students,
we need to raise our standards, not lower them, and equip disadvantaged
students to thrive in schools.
Earn-and-Learn Education
For a quarter-century, the primary goal of American K-12
schools could be summed up in three words: college for all. As a consequence,
most schools don't see career education as central to what they offer. But with
more Americans searching for alternatives to the traditional bachelor's degree,
it's time to restore an emphasis on apprenticeship and vocational training,
replacing the college-for-all paradigm with more flexible, pluralistic pathways
to opportunity.