Dr. Richard Weigel, Supt. of Niles Community Schools, presented a frightening report about the state of education in our schools compared to the world.

While there were many stats thrown out there, here are just a couple to give you a taste. Michigan ranks 46 out of 50 states in the country according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

In international assessments there are 20 countries rated higher than us in science and 16 in math.

With less attention to higher academic achievement, we continue to trend down while other countries make great advances. Who is to blame? In my mind it is all of us. Surprisingly, the reports show we are the top spenders in education in the world. Throwing money at the problem obviously is not the solution.

Schools too often become a political issue and not one of truly educating our children. Schools are slow to change. Weigel commented that the education process throughout the country is basically the same as it was 50 years ago. Weigel stressed that the education system should promote learning, not teaching. Now that’s a concept.

Parents and grandparents can help if we all showed the interest and spent the time helping our children understand that they can do better.

Why shouldn’t all of our children be pushed to achieve top grades and not only graduate high school, but all graduate college. Why not help your children plan now for their doctorate? And while I’m pointing a finger, are we in the media doing our part?

Leader Publications dedicates at least a page a day in each of our publications dedicated to sports achievement. By comparison, we provide little coverage of academic achievement.
And I have rarely heard a complaint. But if we miss coverage of a high school football game and our phones light up.

Like Weigel said, wouldn’t it be nice to see an academic achievement trophy case next to the sports trophy case?

Or do we really care?

If you are like me, you care a great deal. Let’s work together to highlight and honor our students publically in the cyber and physical pages of Leader Publications. Whether it is k-12 or away at college, we want you to help us celebrate academic achievement in our pages. Just get the information to me and we will get it in the paper.

Next year, along with the athlete of the week, we will also develop the student of the week.

Dr. Weigel, I for one heard your message and we at the Leader will do our part to encourage an improved education system throughout Leaderland.

Michael Bennett can be reached at michael.bennett@leaderpub.com or (269) 687-7700.