May Response

Public Education
May 1998

Click on any of the following images for a larger picture.

"The Challenge to Public Education" by Herschel Lee Johnson

This article gives an overview of public education in the United States, its challenges and its inequalities. It questions who should have control over schools -- the local or larger government bodies. It looks at the question of the Christian Coalition trying to place its members on school boards across the United States; the state governments role as they take control of low-achieving school districts; the quality of education; and the efforts to privatize education.

"Vouchers: Education's Hot Potato" by Herschel Lee Johnson

Vouchers stir emotions in the contentious world of U.S. public education. This article looks at the arguments for and against vouchers; the concerns of poor parents and those devoted to public education for everyone; and the stand of the United Methodist Church on the issue.

"Charter Schools: Educating by Contract" by Yvette Moore

This article looks at states responding to education reform by issuing charters, or contracts, to educators, parents, and communities in order to create their own schools. This article looks at the goals of charter schools, the characteristics of these schools, and the views of proponents and opponents.

"Testing: Whose Standards?" by Herschel Lee Johnson

Today's students face a battery of standardized tests looking at basic skills and fact-based knowledge. Yet many of today's education reformers believe tests should assess critical thinking capabilities. This article looks at the views of supporters and opponents to standardized testing and how some states are revamping assessment systems.

"Choosing Textbooks" by Herschel Lee Johnson

This article explores the process of choosing textbooks for children, state guidelines, and pressures that members of the religious right try to exert to affect this process.

"Federal Education Legislation" by Yvette Moore

The primary responsibility for public education rests in the hands of states and communities. However, federal action on public education has a long history and it continues with more than 200 education bills being debated presently in Congress. This article gives a sampling and description of some of the bills in Congress.

"Students Speak Out" by Cheryl Lewis

This article, written by a high school junior, explores the opinions and concerns of high school students in both urban and suburban environments. It looks at issues like the quality of their education, school meals, hours, class time, dress codes, four-day weeks, safety, and pressures.

"Necessary Partnership: Parents and Education" by Julia Clark

The solution for parents who are concerned about their children's education: get involved. This article explores the ways and methods many parents are involved in their education and the effectiveness of their plight. It looks at ways parents have been involved in spending school funds, advocated for curriculum reform, challenged lack of diversity, created programs for parents of other cultures and languages, and generally stayed involved in education throughout their children's schooling.

"Teaching in the 1990s" by Susie Wallace

When a kindergarten teacher asked what their dreams would be if they were Martin Luther King, Jr., today, one child gave an extremely sobering answer. Education is surfacing issues today that did not exist 20 or 30 years ago. This article explores the views on public education of four United Methodist Women members who work in the field, what's working, what's not working, and what needs to improve.

"The Gift of Tutoring" by A. Victoria Hunter

For over 12 years, United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids, Mich., has sponsored a homework and remedial program so compelling, third graders have walked out of basketball games to participate. This article looks at the programs and expectations and support for continuing it.

"A Lesson from Great Britain's Teachers: Education and Business Don't Mix" by Fred J. Solowey

Eighteen years ago, Great Britain instituted sweeping changes in public education using a combination of privatization and market mechanisms. Many of the changes reflect what some education reformers are trying to do today. This article looks at the changes and issues of this country's reform and what the United States can learn from it.

"Algebra Project: Civil Rights in Action" by Sheryl Nance-Nash

In 1964, civil-rights activist Robert Moses was a driving force in the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project, garnering national attention, and also helping to organize the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Almost twenty years later, Mr. Moses launched a civil-rights campaign of another sort--he founded the Algebra Project. Without algebra, says Mr. Moses, college entry and meaningful jobs in a high-tech world is next to impossible. This article explores the concepts, experiences, and success behind the Algebra Project.

Other Articles:

See also: