I have yet to talk to someone who doesn't think that education is the key to success. We have heard this mantra and seen it first hand over and over again. We know the statistics about the
link between education and poverty. My students are very aware of this: They are in the program to escape poverty.
Yet I am drawn to education policy not because I think it's a panacea for poverty alleviation (although it will certainly help). I am drawn to education policy because I think it's connected to so much more: for instance, the economy, international relations, and social justice. Hear me out: First, say you do believe the premise that with a good education, anyone can be successful. And think about what the definition is of success for many people: having enough money to live comfortably. People who live comfortably contribute to the economy. Therefore a well-educated population leads to a stronger economy. It is in our best economic interests to invest in education (which, by the way, may not be as
expensive as we think).
Next, think about how many of us gauge "success" in this country. We are capitalists; therefore, many of us value competition. And when you compare the U.S.'s stats to many of those from other countries, we fall woefully behind. (There are several
studies about this, the most recent one being
here.) Improving education in this country will make this country look more desirable in how we approach education.
My last point was about social justice, which is incredibly broad. It of course ties into poverty alleviation, and that is one of the goals of education. But it also ties into making sure that every single child has access to an education system that fits his or her
needs. This is not yet the case in much of this country.
This is why I teach. These are the reasons why education policy is so important: It affects everything.
