Recently a panel of school representatives from the three local school systems and Central Community College were asked a very good question. “What changes do you see in local education over the next five years?” Below are some of the answers this writer has to that question. These answers form a picture of the future towards which to work.

Topping the list is making sure that all disadvantaged preschool children have an opportunity for an effective year of learning before kindergarten. Currently, about one third of CPS students enter kindergarten with no formal early childhood education. Many students without preschool come from families that have two common characteristics: They are too poor to pay for private preschools and have too much income to qualify for Headstart. These “gray zone” students as a result often enter kindergarten a full year or more behind their peers.

It is important to add that not just any preschool program is helpful to children. Some preschool programs are much better than others in helping children learn and overcome knowledge deficiencies before they enter kindergarten. Strong preschool programs have well-trained teachers, well-organized curriculums aligned with kindergarten requirements, and small student to adult ratios. These important components are not cheap, but they are essential if a difference is to be made in the lives of disadvantaged youth.

Also near the top of the priority list is providing effective after school and summer programs for all young people. Far too many of our young go home to empty trailers, apartments and houses. The result is early experimentation with alcohol, drugs, sex and gangs. This experimentation can lead to such community scourges as burglaries, drug dealing, shop lifting, teen pregnancies, underage drinking, cigarette smoking and vandalism. If Columbus wants to get serious about reducing these destructive behaviors, providing positive outlets for all our youth is critical step.

Another area that must expand to meet the changing needs of today’s children and families is alternative education options. More programs need to be developed within and outside of schools to help nontraditional learners find the experiences they need to graduate from high school. The goal should be 100% of Columbus students accomplish this. A huge percentage of high school dropouts face a future of hopelessness and dependence. To eliminate these consequences, schools must create more leaning options and supports for students.

Within these learning options there needs to be more opportunity for mentoring, community service, and career connections. These three areas should be central components of educational experiences for all students – especially students from troubled or disadvantaged backgrounds.

All students should also have an education that increasingly shifts from a passive lecture and note-taking format that is teacher-centered to one that is application-based, interactive, and student-centered. Classes must also increasingly become more challenging with a focus on developing problem solving and higher levels of thought.

Related to this a higher percentage of students (all?) need to graduate from high school with college credits. This will help them transition more successfully into post-secondary education and reduce college expenses for them and their parents. Post secondary education is the gateway to a middle class income. Getting as many students as possible through that gate provides a clear and measurable target for school districts.

One final short-term goal needs to be accomplished in our schools and community. Assimilate students of diversity into our culture so that separation by race and socio-economic backgrounds is reduced. This is the best hope for creating harmonious student bodies and healthy communities.

Several other areas could be added as worthy targets. They include elementary school foreign language programs and increased parent participation in their children’s schools. These and the initiatives mentioned above would help Columbus’ schools prepare young people to be successful adults who positively impact the communities in which they live as adult citizens.

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