January 20th, 2025
Dear Reader,
As you are all aware, America is going through some interesting times. This week marks a changing of the presidential guard, the disappearance of TikTok (maybe), and a splendid school holiday celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.
Mr. King is known for his fight for equal rights during the 1960s. As a civil rights movement leader, he championed nonviolent protests to combat racial segregation and injustice, delivering powerful speeches such as "I Have a Dream." His efforts led to significant progress, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
And to remember and honor MLK and all that he accomplished, we gave him a Monday in January.
Of course, this isn't totally true. Many streets are named after him, and dozens of museums have exhibits on him and his accomplishments.
But with a man who did what he did and who achieved what he achieved, why do so many young Americans today not have any clue what he truly did?
As a current public school teacher, I have a (decent) grasp of the youth of today. I took a very informal pole last Friday at the end of each of my classes. I asked, "What was MLK known for?"
Here were the most common answers:
"Who is MLK?"
"He freed the slaves during the Civil War."
"IDK"
To an informed individual, this may trouble you. But to anyone currently involved in the public education system, it probably isn't totally surprising.
This is just one of many examples of how public schools fail its students. Not only do students lack basic historical knowledge, but also the skill to think critically, which is a devastating combination.
Most of today's students can't solve basic problems, hold eye contact for a reasonable amount of time, or regulate their emotions in a way commensurate with their age.
It's important that Americans know this.
Americans must understand how their children are taught, raised, and instructed.
Many have no idea what it's like in an average school.
Many have no idea that their students are behind by multiple grade levels.
Many have no idea.
That's what I want to do. I seek to inform as many people as possible about the problems that face America's public education system. I want to shed light on alternative education options and practices.
Your sharing of my little newsletter will help me do just that. So, if you wouldn't mind, please share this with someone you know who is either interested in the betterment of American education or someone who is currently in that system, either as a parent or student.
