If you follow local news at all, which we hope is why you are reading this article, you have likely heard that the NAACP has filed a formal complaint to FCPS over admissions rates of hispanic and african american students which lag far behind the regions population. As with many things that involve the NAACP and education this discussion has been politicized and polarized.
As a minority I have always felt that the American dream ensures if you work hard enough your education can be in your own hands. When I was in high school admissions to Thomas Jefferson included many poorer minorities. Some have pointed to more subjective admission standards as reasoning for why the racial and more importantly economic divide is growing at the science and technology school. However, the discrepancy in admissions could be the symptom and not the problem. What is happening long before highschool which is increasing the education gap?
Funding might not be the problem. There is no evidence that poorer regions of Fairfax are receiving less education funding than more affluent neighborhoods. Part of the problem might stem from the goals of the different regions. At a young age students in lower middle class schools are being prepared to pass scantron tests that are designed to determine minimum standards in learning are met. This becomes the most important goal for the poorer school as without passing these tests the school faces a downward spiral of regulation and systematically it is assumed that these schools must aim lower in order to pass. What occurs is a disinterest and lack of curiosity towards education. The children are taught the mechanics of education but never the application of it. Memorization and patterned learning methods are instruments of tedium which lead to apathy towards independent learning. When you aim for just good enough you never reach higher. This isn’t a funding problem, it is a fear of no funding problem.
Many conservatives have pointed out that private schools could help fill the gap of minimum standards learning as their funding is not subject to the same regulations. Unfortunately, much like the news, the noble concept of promoting intelligence and merit become devoured by the desire for the all mighty dollar and prestige. To often wealthy and powerful parents are preferred over less wealthy and working class parents who are also willing to pay the exorbitant admission costs. Children that are selected are not done so on their educational capabilities, in fact in many cases they are sent to these schools because of delinquency. All the while truly gifted but socially diminutive students are resigned to a public school system which doesn’t challenge their minds or retain their interest.
The entire discussion may seem meaningless at this time, seeing as Fairfax remains a top educational destination and well above national standards. However, sometimes an anomaly can become a trend, and a trend turns into decay. While much of the improvement needs to start from personal accountability of parents promoting education as a top priority, equally as much emphasis should be placed on the system to advance beyond meeting minimum standards. Instead of worrying about the best school in Fairfax, we should put more focus on the struggling schools not by funding but by simply expecting more.