One of the reasons for this failure is the one-size-fits-all approach to public education. Public schools are required to follow the same curriculum and teaching methods, regardless of the individual needs and abilities of their students. This approach leaves many students behind, as they’re unable to keep up with the pace of the classroom. In addition, public schools often focus more on teaching to the test than on teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Another contributing factor to the academic underperformance of public schools is the power of teachers' unions. Teachers' unions have been known to protect incompetent teachers and block educational reforms that could improve student outcomes. In addition, unions often put the interests of their members ahead of the needs of students, which can lead to policies that are detrimental to student learning.

One solution to the problem of academic underperformance is school choice. School choice allows parents to choose the best educational option for their children, whether that be a public, private, or charter school. School choice gives parents the power to select the educational approach that best suits their child's needs, interests, and learning style. It also incentivizes schools to improve their educational quality, as they’re competing for students and funding.

A study by the Brookings Institution found that school choice significantly improved academic outcomes for low-income students. School choice programs led to higher graduation rates, improved test scores, and increased college enrollment. By implementing school choice, we can give all children the opportunity to receive a high-quality education, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.

In addition to school choice, we can improve academic performance by implementing performance-based pay for teachers. Performance-based pay would reward teachers based on the academic outcomes of their students, rather than simply the number of years they have been teaching. This would incentivize teachers to focus on improving student learning outcomes, rather than simply going through the motions of teaching.

Another area where public schools have failed our children is in providing a safe learning environment. School shootings, bullying, and other forms of violence have become all too common in public schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 20% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school during the 2018-2019 school year. In addition, 2% of students reported being threatened or injured with a weapon at school during that same year.

One solution to the problem of school safety is to increase school security. This can be achieved through measures such as metal detectors, security cameras, and armed personnel. While some may argue that these measures are too extreme, the reality is that they have been successful in preventing school shootings and other acts of violence in the few schools that’ve implemented them. In addition, allowing trained and vetted teachers and administrators to carry concealed weapons can provide an added layer of protection.

Another solution to the problem of school safety is to implement zero-tolerance policies for violent and disruptive behavior. These policies would ensure that students who engage in serious offenses such as bullying, fighting, and bringing weapons to school would face immediate and severe consequences, such as suspension or expulsion. By enforcing zero-tolerance policies, we can create a safer learning environment for all students.

One of the most critical ways that public schools have failed our children is in preparing them for the future. The traditional public school system is built around a rigid model of rote memorization and standardized testing, which fails to prepare students for the complex challenges they’ll face in the real world. Many students graduate from high school lacking critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, which are essential for success in the 21st century.

Another factor contributing to the failure to prepare students for the future is the lack of vocational and technical training. Many public schools focus exclusively on college preparatory coursework, leaving students who are not interested in pursuing a four-year degree with few options for career training. This leaves many students unprepared for the high-demand, well-paying jobs that require technical and vocational skills.

One solution to the problem of preparing students for the future is to incorporate vocational and technical training into the curriculum. Vocational and technical training can provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a wide range of fields, from automotive repair to healthcare to computer programming. By giving students a broader range of career options, we can better prepare them for success in the 21st century economy.

In addition to vocational and technical training, we can improve preparedness for the future by emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. These skills are essential for success in the modern workforce and can be developed through project-based learning, group work, and other collaborative activities. By incorporating these activities into the curriculum, we can better prepare students for success in the real world.

In conclusion, the current public school system has failed our children in numerous ways, including academic performance, safety, and preparedness for the future. However, there are solutions to these problems that can be implemented through education reform. By implementing school choice, increasing school security, and incorporating vocational and technical training into the curriculum, we can provide our children with the education they need to succeed in the 21st century. It's time to take action and make the changes necessary to ensure that all children have access to a high-quality education.

Written By: Stephen Despin Jr.