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Youth Voice: WinchellObama’s Education Priorities
Louisa Winchell
7th grade
Cambridge, MA
On the day we waited for the voting booths to reveal the verdict I strongly believe that we all sensed that slight weight of joy balanced on our shoulders, calmly scrutinizing the scene around it. Then again we felt that pesky, yet so tender, joy, on the day Obama’s hand caressed the sacred Bible. Bliss that was concealed inside America for so many lengthy, dreadful years sprinted out from its hiding place and hollered for all to hear, “Here I am, take me, befriend me, love me, hold me!” It bellowed across the cities of The United States of America, until its throat ran dry and vocal chords pouted.
However, America’s necessities remind me of the shape of a rainbow. You don’t know and never will comprehend where they commence and conclude. There is no feasible way, no matter who pronounces or executes what, that Obama will decipher every problem the country has ever encountered. America is not a crossword puzzle. We have such lofty expectations of him, that we overlook the fact that he is only human. His goals are substantial in volume but amidst the chaos of solving the crime and tragedy in the world, he still has his personal issues to confront. The world itself has its afflictions, and Obama is part of the cure. However, he is just a continuation, no matter how significant his presidency, in the edifice of our nation, and we should be proud of him and ourselves, because of that, even if he’s not the only remedy. In my mind, though, one of the most momentous things he can do for my generation is improve the schools and our education.
The history of our schools is one full of progression for the most part. Up until the middle to late nineteenth century, more children enrolled in school than basically any other place in the world. It was then that our education staggered and tripped bruising its knee on the sidewalk. Money was not being spent in rational ways, and meanwhile countries battled to be on top of the tower of instruction. By now, so many opinions have been cast off, that no one really knows which line to bite. Hopefully, by the time Obama has said his farewells, the school system will be significantly changed as more people are inspired to take the next step. Even if President Barak Obama needs to hold our hand and guide us to that place in victory, I can assure you, or at least myself, that we will get there eventually.
It has been my experience, and apparently Obama’s too, that in classrooms, filling in the correct bubbles is more important that learning innovatively. Teachers spend a much higher percentage of their time trying to teach children how to pass the standardized tests rather than showing them how to be creative and stirring. This is where Obama offers to get out his wrench. He states that he will improve the situation, so that the assessments record student understanding more accurately and precisely so that the students will be able to open up more in their classrooms.
One of the most important reforms in Obama’s mind is making college affordable for every American. He will promote a system where all Americans don’t have to pay more than half of college tuition. Finally, in the near future, Obama hopes to see better school programs and teachers along with more money being spent on public schools. His ideas are fascinating and light up a spark of hope in my heart, but will he keep his promise? He has ranked education as the fifth most important priority, but is that status too low or high? I strongly believe the greatest hope for the suffocating state we are in is the next generation. To reach out and grasp that earth-friendly environment, as well as so many other conflicts, humans will have to be qualified in math and science, and the only way to do that is by improving the school system.
Constantly climbing that ladder of success, African-Americans have gotten from slavery to segregation to the president. They have persevered, and in many cases have embraced their heritage. However, for some, there is still some racial instability. Data has shown that for African American students, when asked to fill out a form on race beforehand on a test, the scores are significantly inferior than if otherwise. Life at home for some Americans is not easy. Although, with Obama in the president’s chair, these children are motivated to become more victorious. We pray with our hands clasped together that one day the schools will support everyone and help them to reach their full potential. Optimistically, Obama is that stray piece of the puzzle. Not only will he inspire us, but make it so that he can push us to reach as many goals for which we yearn. I, personally, have experienced this in my everyday life. Recently we had a slide show made for Black History Month, showing the voyage African Americans have been on in our nation. It is incredible how everyone in the auditorium, kindergarteners and teachers alike, began to sob with delight as these momentous times were reflected throughout the show. It was as if an electric current spread throughout the audience, as applause and cries of enthusiasm echoed across the auditorium.
If you were to take a tour of my mind, you would observe my thoughts on life in America at this particular period of time. I expect many great things to happen in school and education overall, but my eyes will continue to stay locked in reality. Obama is a wonderful man in so many ways. He has given up his regular life to come and guide America away from its own catastrophe. He will be the best president he can be, but there is only a limited amount of things he will actually do. His ideas and inspiration do prompt my trust, and I really crave that my education will jump up a level or two. I look forward to spending less time preparing for tests and more on creativity and learning. Our generation is in control, now, and to save the things we so aspire to save, like the economy and global warming, we will have to graduate with critical understanding of many subjects. So, America, stand up proudly and sing to the world all that we will do when we graduate from school!
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