Americans say high schools are
essential to US success;
also call for improvements

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(A photo from our 2005 Summer Leadership Institute.)

Lew Armistead
    

     Americans believe that high schools are essential to the success of the country and want state and national leaders to do more to assist them. At the same time, they think the high school level is in most need of improvement. Those findings come from AMERICANS ON HIGH SCHOOLS: IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT, a national survey released by the Alliance for Excellent Education at the start of this school year.

     “This poll is important because it clearly states that for the first time, Americans believe that high schools should be a top priority for our federal and state officials, as well for business and community leaders,” reported Bob Wise, former governor of West Virginia and president of the Alliance.

     Eighty-three percent of respondents feel that is an “extremely urgent” or “very urgent” need to improve high schools, compared to 79 percent for middle schools and 76 percent for elementary schools. Forty-five percent cited colleges and universities.

High school principals may want to use these findings to encourage local and state leaders to assist with improvement efforts. Steps to consider include:

• Identifying areas where you would like to strengthen your school but need specific support from local businesses and/or local or state government to achieve those improvements.

• Meeting with business and/or governmental leaders to discuss your challenges, plans to improve, and needed support. You might invite one of these individuals to be a principal for a day at your school to see firsthand the challenges and accomplishments of your school.

• Working with those leaders to create and implement an action plan that involves them in working toward school improvement.

It would be wise not to just ask for money, but to discuss ways you can partner to help young people. Seek their involvement through mentoring programs, on the job training opportunities, special presentations at the school, and similar activities.

If you use this approach, it will be important to communicate progress of your reform efforts. You could occasionally present an update at the chamber of commerce or local civic group meetings, put these individuals on the mailing list for appropriate publications, or hold follow-up meetings.

 The poll was conducted by Lake Snell Perry Mermin/Decision Research in mid-August 2005 and involved 1,200 individuals from across the United States.

 Other findings included:

• 87 percent of Americans are “extremely” or “very concerned” that the national graduation rate is approximately 70 percent and that it drops to 50 percent or lower in many urban areas.

• 70 percent say they are “extremely willing” or “very willing” to pay more taxes to support effective reform efforts to ensure that all kids can read, comprehend and write.

• Overwhelmingly, survey respondents agree that it’s critical for the United States to have good public schools.

• Respondents believe that increasing the number of high school students who graduate prepared for college and good jobs is critical to maintaining a strong society and assuring the competitive position of the nation in an increasingly global society.

• Eighty-five percent say it is not too late to help poorly performing students when they reach their high school years, but 61 percent believe high schools are not well equipped to meet the needs of students who are struggling academically.

• Seventy-eight percent of Americans believe the federal government is not paying enough attention to the nation’s public high schools, and 57 percent say the same about their state government.

     Additional information about this study and projects of the Alliance for Excellent Education can be found on its Web site, www.all4ed.org.

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