Has the US Education System Truly Stagnated in the Last 100 Years?
About twenty years ago, or maybe longer, an individual stumbled upon the entrance exam to Jersey City High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. Upon reviewing the questions, it became evident that 90% of today's college graduates would not have been able to pass it. Considering the test was from around a hundred years ago, one might assume that schools have changed significantly over the past century. However, from the perspective of education experts, this statement is far from the truth.
Understanding the Changes in Public School Systems
The response, "It hasn't huh," immediately brings to mind a skeptical tone towards the original statement. In reality, enormous changes have taken place in the public school system. Far more students now complete high school and graduate, and a significant number continue their education at the college level. Additionally, there has been a substantial increase in students enrolling in advanced math and science classes. Efforts have been made to help students with special needs, including those who are blind, deaf, or have various learning difficulties. Furthermore, attempts have been implemented to support traditionally disadvantaged minorities, although effectiveness varies. One major challenge lies in the reluctance of many parents to embrace innovation, as they often argue that the old ways are inherently better, even if they did not enjoy their own educational experiences.
Historical Context and Educational Conservatism
Education in the West has historically been incredibly conservative. Universities, especially those affiliated with organized religions, have often been resistant to change. For instance, around 1600, Francis Bacon lamented that while he and others were advancing the scientific method, Oxford University was still teaching Aristotle as if nearly 2000 years had passed without any significant development. In the mid-1700s, Dr. Samuel Johnson observed that the lecture method, which simply involved reading from a book, became outdated some 300 years earlier with the advent of the printed book. Despite this, professors and students persist in lecturing and note-taking, seemingly indifferent to the innovations that occurred centuries ago.
Evidence further supports the notion that the educational system is slow to change. For example, renowned physicist Albert Einstein found his physics professor teaching material that was 70 years out of date. Similarly, many textbooks recommended for college preparatory courses are between 50 and 150 years old, highlighting the slow transition of educational materials.
Technological Advancements and Their Impact
Over the past century, numerous technological advancements have emerged, including audio recording, radio, television, video recording, computers, and the internet. Unfortunately, these technologies were largely ignored for decades before being slowly integrated in a way that supported the existing education system rather than revolutionizing it. Instead of transformation, these technologies have been predominantly used to enhance the traditional learning methods.
The entire educational enterprise in nearly every country is constrained by laws, regulations, licensing, accreditation, and an entrenched workforce. Add to this the practice of passing on methods from generation to generation, and reform efforts often make only minor adjustments to existing curricula, buildings, and organizations. Innovations are typically adopted in a manner that supports the status quo rather than challenging it.
Despite these challenges, there are examples where innovative approaches have been successfully implemented. For instance, in the 1970s, NASA produced a program on education that was broadcast by satellite to leaders in 27 developing countries. The program demonstrated how radio, television, and satellites could allow nations to bypass the labor-intensive approach to education that was typical in more developed countries. India had already completed a year-long demonstration using a direct-broadcast satellite to reach community televisions in 2500 villages.
These examples suggest that while progress has been slow, innovative solutions can be found. The challenge lies in overcoming the entrenched attitudes and systems that resist change. By embracing new technologies and methodologies, the US education system can overcome its inertia and achieve the significant reforms needed to meet the needs of the 21st century.