Focus on Education No Child Overlooked

President George Bush has coined a new slogan to promote better education: “No Child Left Behind.” I have another slogan I want to add to that. One that I feel will help the child directly and hopefully motivate him to want to learn: “ No Child Overlooked.” Simply put, this means that no child in the classroom is forgotten. His need is assessed and attended to.

Visit any school or any classroom and you will notice several children shying away from the rest of the group. For some reason they are not smiling and seem to stare off into the distance. They appear to be loners or “different.” Sadly, these are the children that are overlooked. They will be the ones that either become the dropouts or become the delinquents. Or they are our gifted and talented children.

Consider the reasons why students drop out. Almost fifty percent of the students that drop out of school, cite that they “do not like school.” When pressed for the reason, they will tell you that they are failing. Almost equal proportions of male and female students complain that they left because they “could not get along with the teacher.” Other students will report school expulsion or suspension as reasons for leaving school.

Female dropout students will most likely cite family-related problems or pregnancy. Some students will explain that they have found a job. But this reason is being less heard in this age of technology and need for some education for almost any job. Jobs for dropouts are extremely scarce and limited in upward mobility.

Coupled with the problems of student dropouts are the “social promotion” students. These are students moved along on the conveyor belt of education regardless of their ability to comprehend their studies. At a certain age they are moved to another grade because we need the seat for the incoming student. So we move them along. Later this child will fall between the cracks of life, either as a dropout from school or as a burden on society.

Sprinkled throughout every school campus are special children who have outstanding talents and high academic ability. Sadly, too often they are neglected. Few if any special care is given to them. They need special attention as much as any other child with a special need whether it be physical or mental. God has given them a special talent and we must help them cultivate it.

Until we single out and assist these overlooked children, the public schools will have not done their job. Because children come in all sizes both physically and mentally, schools must reframe their thinking on how to educate them.

Teachers must find the extra time to attend to the needs of these special children. Programs and guidance must be given to the children. With all the pressures and limited time, it is easy to forsake them.

Innovative ideas must be implemented. No longer can we continue to feed the lingering dinosaur system. When a child needs help, either remedial or advanced study, it must be given. The outdated system must stop perpetuating itself at the children’s expense. Radical change is necessary, but unfortunately it will not come until all realize the injustice we are causing children. Greater budgets alone are not the answer. Only greater insight and a change of attitude will effectuate the changes needed.

Nobody’s children should be compelled to attend a school where each child is not treated as an individual. Children must not be lumped into a mold like a batch of cookies. A successful school system understands this and offers equal educational opportunity to everyone’s children. “No child overlooked!”