Tom Ault
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
It was very uplifting to see that our local school officials are realizing the vital importance of literacy in our school systems.
According to the Washington Post, "Those without what is considered an education are the most religious, but religious people are a majority in all education levels."
I am pointing this out because we are facing a precarious time with respect to the world in which we live. It is apparent that education is a needed direction to be lead into, but the right kind of education is even more important. Note the wording of the Washington Post that seems to state the people with a higher moral level seem to be the leaders in education, and yet, the less educated seem to be the highest in their moral achievements in religion.
As a country, it has been observed, that of the top 10 countries of per capita income, the United States is the highest, and yet the second-lowest in literacy percent at only 86 percent literacy. The top five in literacy and per capita income are Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Japan and Italy, all with a 99 percent literacy level. We are at 86 and India is at 69 percent.
Yes, it is good that our school leaders here are taking a good look at education maybe it is time to consider more literacy and less sports? Your special interest in mental education is well-accepted. Sport education key features derive from how sport is conducted in community and interschool contexts. Ideally, it combines direct instruction, cooperative small-group work and peer teaching. The traditional model of delivering physical education is through practice of a skill, progression of the skill and then game-related practice focusing on the skill.
According to the Harvard Political Review, while sports participation has risen, American educational rankings in comparison to other countries across the world have troublingly continued to plummet. Americans accept not first but 31st in global math education, 23rd in global science education, and 14th in reading when compared to these global competitors. Only 77 percent of American students graduate from high school and six other countries have higher graduation rates. It is easier to cheer for a favorite basketball team than to acknowledge that 24 countries currently outpace the U.S. rate of educational improvement.
We must start realizing where our future is going not next week, but today!