The survey results on people’s top goals for their children’s education from kindergarten through high school were recently made public. The findings were shocking. Preparing pupils for college ranks at the bottom of Americans’ priorities.
Things weren’t always like this, though. Prior to the epidemic, planning for college was the tenth most important goal. They are now ranked 47th. There appears to be a general trend toward more personalized, skill-based learning in the United States.
*BREAKING*: The historical role of K-12 in prepping kids for college takes a beating in this new survey of ed priorities by @ltoddrose's Populace. Ranking much higher are "practical, tangible skills." @gtoppo explores why. @The74 https://t.co/m6eU2jDSxn
— Andrew Brownstein (@Misterodney) January 17, 2023
Tailored Lessons For Personal Growth
Populace, a nonpartisan research organization, released its Purpose of Education Index.
According to the data, there is a growing interest in tailoring lessons to each student and teaching them valuable life lessons. The study suggests teaching pupils to think critically and practically should be the top priority for elementary and secondary schools.
Populace surveys gauge both individual beliefs and generalizations about the beliefs of others. Some striking discrepancies were found between respondents’ own ideas and their expectations of what others would think, as measured by the Purpose of Education Index.
Although respondents placed college readiness low on their priority list, they predicted others would place it third.
In addition, respondents anticipated others to rank personal growth 26th, course selection based on interest 31st, and learning at one’s own speed 52nd, despite ranking these as 3rd, 9th, and 13th most important aims, respectively.
According to Populace’s co-founder and CEO Todd Rose’s interview with Axios, the survey findings indicate an “exhausted majority” wants a change in K-12 education.
They want change focused on improving students’ skills in critical thinking and guiding them toward careers that have a deeper meaning and purpose in their lives.
Problem-Solving Skills
Apparently, the general population in the United States understands that problem-solving and sound decision-making are honed through time. They want to have their children’s educational institutions serve as a haven where their children may flourish in these areas.
According to Populace’s “Purpose of Education Index,” the public actually has less desire than most adults think for school to get kids ready for college or to work toward acquiring high-paying jobs. https://t.co/L2GAVzUfGV
— Tony (Pharaoh Don) Morris (@TA_Morris) January 20, 2023
This larger shift in priorities is directly related to the degradation of college readiness, as seen by actual enrollment statistics.
Since the pandemic’s inception, NBC News reports that the percentage of high school seniors entering college the autumn after they graduate has dropped from 70% to 63%.
The rising expense of higher education, along with a strong post-pandemic job market, may explain why a growing percentage of youth are deciding against attending university, as evidenced by the results of a recent study conducted by Populace.
Overall, Americans are giving more weight to tailored education that isn’t only focused on getting every student ready for college.
Regardless of the recent importance placed on preparing young people for challenging college programs, Americans believe the K-12 system should concentrate its efforts on effectively preparing American students with useful skills that equip them for life.
