What is Quality Education? Fighting For Higher Standards So Our Students Don’t Face An Uphill Battle in School

By Rashad Turner

Education, as currently structured, is deeply flawed. Students spend six to eight hours in a classroom five days a week, but still struggle to read, write and perform math at grade level. On a national level, only 4 in 10 high school graduates feel ready for college education and almost 60% don’t even feel their schools have helped them develop solid career skills. Students finish high school feeling unprepared for college. Then, they finish college only to feel unprepared to enter the real world and struggle to get a job to pay off the debt they accrued while in college.

Minnesota Report Data shows that less than half of all students are reading at grade level and only about 40% are meeting math standards. A lot of parents don’t know these stats. They think everything is all good when they send their kids off to school, but in reality, Minnesota’s school system is not setting students up for success in either college or the workforce. So, what exactly should our education system look like? Let me show you.

Key Components of a Quality Education

Culturally and Racially Affirming Academic Environment

There’s a reason why I’m listing this one first. Our students of color are suffering because they are stuck in an education system that is severely lacking diverse teachers. Those of you who follow me closely know that I am fighting with every fiber of my being to get the message across that our education system will always be broken without proper representation in its teaching workforce.

Students of color need to see teachers of color in their classrooms in order to feel a sense of cultural and racial affirmation. It doesn’t have to be all of their teachers either. Studies have shown that Black students who have at least one Black teacher in elementary school are 29% less likely to drop out of school. 

When students of color see teachers who look like them, they feel a sense of comfort, validation and safety because they know the instructor standing in front of them understands their identity and unique life struggles. But here in Minnesota where Black male teachers only make up 0.5% of the teaching workforce, we have a long way to go before our students of color start seeing sufficient representation in classrooms. 

More Intentional and In-Depth Course Material 

The challenge with most school instruction is that it’s too hasty. Schools need more in-depth instruction on each subject matter, rather than racing through or glossing over course content and expecting students to cram to keep up.

Teachers shouldn’t be expected to rush through lessons. They should be given the time and resources to thoroughly engage students in the subject matter so they come away with a level of competence that will set them up for success in subsequent grade levels. 

Maintaining integrity and truth in how our nation’s history is taught is another key aspect of intentional instruction. Unfortunately, in our country, the truth about historical events or influential figures is often skewed in classroom lessons. Just look at what’s happening in Florida. Their leaders seem to be confused about whether or not slavery was a bad thing. Yes, you read that correctly - CONFUSION about whether or not slavery was bad. Florida politicians are passing laws that will allow teachers to teach public school students about how slavery “benefited” Black people.

That’s the mess of an education system our kids are dealing with. We absolutely can’t let this type of indoctrination prevail. That’s why we need to hold Minnesota’s leaders’ feet to the fire to ensure our students are provided with accurate information on historical events. We want our students to become well-rounded adults who understand how history has shaped our country and influences our lives today. 

Individualized Attention and Interactive Learning 

Students need smaller classes so they have more time to absorb material and more opportunities to ask teachers questions and engage with their peers. This is one of the hallmark features of charter and private schools and one of the reasons why I’m a strong proponent of these types of academic institutions.

Charter and private schools provide more individualized attention, that allow students to truly feel seen and heard when they’re in school. Another crucial part of education is interactive learning experiences like field trips, career fairs and guest speaker workshops.

Countless studies show that interactive learning leads to higher levels of critical thinking, creativity and problem solving skills than the passive absorption of information that is so prevalent in our country’s education system. Teaching our students fundamental life skills is another key ingredient of a quality education.

We need more classes and interactive lessons on personal finance, banking, insurance, taxes, basic car and home repairs and cooking. Let’s teach students some real life skills so they don’t struggle as adults. People always wonder why “adulting” feels so difficult and why it’s hard to keep their head above water and it’s because no one really learns the fundamentals of living while they’re in school. 

Steps To Ensuring Your Child Is Receiving a Quality Education 

Start in Your Own Home 

Make sure you and your significant other or co-parent are on the same page. Have intentional conversations to make sure you’re both in alignment when it comes to what schools your child will attend, their performance and progress, as well as your definition of a quality education. My daughter is now in high school, and she has two households, but her mom and I are on the same page when it comes to her education. Our child’s academic career is not an area where we compromise.  

Be Involved in Your Child’s Education

Attend parent-teacher conferences. You’ll never have a clue who your child’s teacher is, what their teaching style is or whether or not they’re truly invested in your child’s education if you never have a sit-down conversation with them. Also, be intentional about having conversations with your child to understand how things are going for them, what they may be struggling with and how engaged they feel. 

Attending or volunteering for school events is another critical component of being actively involved in your child’s education. Your kid is going to be singing in a choir concert? Be there to cheer them on! There’s an ice cream social coming up? Volunteer to help out or go and share a few scoops of ice cream with your child.

Hold Our State’s Leaders Accountable 

Voice your opinions and solutions to school leaders by attending school board meetings and sending your feedback and questions to educational and political leaders. Take advantage of opportunities to provide written feedback; if you see a survey, take time to complete it. It’s a simple and tangible way you can make your voice heard without having to go too far out of your way.  

Challenging the status quo to improve the quality of your child’s education can seem like a daunting and even impossible task. That’s why it’s crucial to gain your own education about our state’s school system. Research our state’s policies and curriculum guidelines and pay attention to what’s in the news so you’re fully aware of what’s going on. Then get tapped into a community that can help you become a stronger advocate for your child’s educational journey.

MNPU is that community. Get in touch with us, and we’ll help guide you and your child to a higher quality of education.