Article: Nation At Risk

The Nation at Risk was a document produced by a blue-ribbon commission in 1983 that was designed to point out the problems with the American education system. The document outlines the state of American education. A shocking stat is brought up that states only about one-fifth of American students could write a persuasive essay, or could solve a math problem that consisted of more than one step. The report also states how 13 percent of students were illiterate, and goes on to state that there are 23 million American adults who were illiterate and had difficulty with reading and writing. The report discusses why America needs to place more emphasis on the education system. American students need to be able to compete with students from around the world. The report even states that the education problems are a threat to national security. It would lead to more funding for education and prevented Ronald Reagan from abolishing the Department of Education and cutting federal funds.

I would say that the Nation at Risk was a harshly written document, but one that made sense and was speaking with urgency. I would say that it does seem to put all schools in the same category of failing, but the general notion that the schools are in bad shape and opinions of education have been changing would be pretty accurate. Many students try to do the least amount of work to get by. We live in a world were more students are picked on for being smart and doing their work than the students who don't care about school. We need to place more importance on education, on doing your work to the best of your abilities, and we need to pay teachers more in order to keep the best and brightest minds well educated.