Education has been under the microscope during the past decade. The quality of education in the United States has been progressively weakening. The increase in the percentage of high school dropouts has been alarming. The high numbers of students not reading on an adequate reading level, but still graduating from high school, has been appalling.
The general public has been crying out to the government for reform. In response, and in concurrence, the federal government heard the cry and implemented initiatives designed to improve our nation’s education system. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was initiated four years ago and has become the battle cry of politicians and school administrators nationwide.
The federal government’s goal, under the direction of the Department of Education, is to transform education into “an evidence-based field in which decision makers routinely seek out the best available research and data before adopting programs or practices that will affect significant numbers of students.” With the major focus on improving education, state governments have stepped up to the plate as well and have implemented their own initiatives.
Because of the acute awareness of the new climate of reform and accountability, parents are taking a much more proactive role in “selecting” educational institutions for their children. Wanting the best possible education, parents have become savvy in knowing what is acceptable and they are holding schools accountable. Test scores are being examined, principals interviewed, schools previewed.
Parents are intimately involved and knowledgeable in the local politics of educational procedures.
The Burden on Military Families
In many ways, military families are severely disadvantaged in this scenario. They lead a life that requires them to relocate about every two to four years, carrying with them the burden of maintaining a quality educational career for their children.
In the “good old days,” military children were able to attend a Department of Defense (DOD) school, consistently ranked as some of the best in the nation. Now, according to DOD officials, about three-fourths of Armed Forces’ personnel live off base, and no longer have access to the DOD schools.
The result is that military families must now face the same challenges confronting all American families, but without the advantage of having the historical or institutional knowledge gained by living in the neighborhood over time. What is “the best” school? Which are the best criteria for crafting a decision, and how is it assessed?
Student/teacher ratio, high school graduation rate, test scores and state spending on education are the most common performance standards of a “good” school, used by government, educators, businesses and statisticians.
Student-teacher ratios indirectly refer to class size. Of course, the student-teacher ratio can be misleading, because many interpret it as literal class size. However, the ratio is actually calculated by dividing the number of students into the total number of teachers employed, not just the number of classroom teachers.
There is common belief that smaller class size provides for better instruction, resulting in higher performance. Class size is a real hot button — and crucial — issue when comparing schools. Parents want more personalized attention focused on their child, which a smaller ratio offers.
Although we frequently link small class size to elementary grades, it is still important in middle and high school classes. For high school students preparing for college, small classes are not critical but still desirable. The National Center for Education Statistics claims the average student-teacher ratio is 16:1 in elementary and 17:1 in secondary classes. Any higher ratios could compromise the quality of instruction.
Measuring Success
High school graduation rate is also a common performance standard to measure the success of a school. The national high school graduation rate is around 73 percent, with the range being 59 percent to 86 percent.
According to the June 2004 U.S. Census, high school dropout rates have been declining. Schools concerned with student success have established programs to assist students who are not succeeding — programs such as mentoring, tutoring, remediation classes. Good schools use every available resource, both monetary and human, to help a child succeed and be promoted. Parents wanting the best school for their children want a school with an 86 percent graduation rate, not 59 percent.
With the No Child Left Behind agenda, test scores have become the biggest buzzword in education in a decade. The creation of standardized assessments both at the state and national level has become commonplace. The purpose is accountability. Each year fourth- and eighth-grade students take a national evaluation, The National Assessment of Educational Progress, in math and reading.
The results have become known as the “Nation’s report card” because it measures the effectiveness of instruction within a school district, school, and classroom. Parents can check results of a particular school through the U.S. Department of Education (www.ed.gov).
In addition to the national assessment, many states have developed tests to evaluate state-determined standards. With the same intent in mind, to improve education, test results are closely monitored and bear consequences. Achieving and maintaining high-test scores is paramount within good schools. This then, is another key index when searching for a good school.
There is a correlation between per-pupil spending by state governments and the quality of education offered within that state. The main premise of state funding is the support of the education system.
States dedicated to strong academic performance make available monetary resources to support the needs of students, develop educational programs and a testing regimen to verify and validate whether the educational standards are being met.
The National Education Association 2004 report claimed the national average per student spending was $8,208, correlating closely to the U.S. Census Bureau’s report. Although this standard is not as directly related as the others, it can suggest the educational environment that a family is moving into.
Help Is Available for Military Families
Military families have a wide array of sources from which to gather information to assist in choosing a school at a new location. An outstanding Website, and one of the best for military families is www.militarystudent.org.
The site was developed by the Department of Defense and targets military children (elementary to teen-aged), parents, families with special needs, military leaders, schools and educators.
A particularly valuable section is Parents Toolkit. The site is a 90-page instruction manual for military families embarking on a move, and literally walks a user through the steps. The toolkit addresses the challenges of physically moving, the psychological implications and the emotional aspects.
Although the toolkit is designed for parents, there are other sites geared for children of all ages. It is a source for the whole family, giving information to a myriad questions.
A few other useful and user-friendly sites for educational information include www.schoolmatters.com, www.schooltree.com, and www.greatschools.net. To gather specific information, like performance statistics, about a school or a school district/county, go to the School Reports feature on www.RelocationToolkit.com, or go directly to the source: a state’s department of education.
A recent search conducted for schools in Florida using the address www.fldoe.gov, yielded a wealth of information relating to school choice, state testing, NCLB results. More comprehensive searches can be performed for specific schools or in a specific city.
Searching for the Right School
Investigating and evaluating public schools as you search for the “best,” may take you into new territory. Public schools are no longer just generic institutions.
Now there are fundamental schools, magnet schools, charter schools, and more. School choices differ by district and city. It’s important to know what varieties of schools are available, what are their strengths and weaknesses, and what are their requirements and “advertised” outcomes.
The search for a good school doesn’t have to be limited only to the public sector. Private schools are an option for military families as well. A word of caution: Although private schools sometimes offer prestigious societal standing, it should not be assumed that the quality and standards of the education offered are above average, or even average. Private and parochial schools should be researched just as thoroughly as public schools.
A printed profile offered by the school will afford much information. Most schools should have this available to inquiring parents. Gathering information regarding the student/teacher ratio, high school graduation rate and test scores is prudent. In addition, parents should ask about teacher qualifications and certifications. Private schools are not regulated by the same state statues that public schools are.
It’s always sensible to gather as many facts as possible about a school before making a decision. Statistics and other information regarding the performance standards mentioned above can be easily obtained through Web sites and written material. Some families, however, may need more intimate information.
Seeking the best school is a personal journey for each family because the definition of “best” is subjective and relative. Defining indicators for one family may not be the same for another. Other factors that affect education might include well-maintained physical facilities, student behavior, communication avenues, teacher qualifications, course offerings, college/career placement services, etc. It is becoming a common practice now for parents to visit and interview schools before relocating. School choice is a major driving force behind a family’s relocation.
John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” The lives of military families have changed and continue to evolve. The one constant is the desire to do the best we can for our children. Education is the most precious gift a parent can give their child and being involved and knowledgeable about the education process is paramount to success.
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