The Bare Minimum by Morgan

The Bare Minimum by Morgan - July 2022 Scholarship Essay

This past school year, my younger brother took his first State Assessment tests. I watched with a familiar feeling as he felt sick with anxiety and worried endlessly about getting to the highest scoring level. A few months later, he was filled with disappointment despite still receiving above-average scores. At just eight years old, my brother’s biggest concern isn’t when he can play outside next or what flavor of ice cream he wants to eat; it is being perfect in the eyes of a system designed for failure.

As a student and daughter of a teacher, I have always had very strong and harsh opinions regarding the education system. There are endless issues that need reform: expectations of teachers, state assessments, the gifted program, ESE accommodations, safety, and expressing individuality. The list goes on and on, yet those in positions of power do very little to address it. Within ten years, I simply hope to see education become a priority. Many would say that it already is or that this is the bare minimum, but it is clear that the interests and needs of the students are still neglected. My state and the districts within it seem to believe that simply sending a child to school and receiving a test score at the end of the year is enough, but that isn’t education.

Preparing a student to pass a singular test does nothing more than just that. It does not ready us for the real world; a harsh reality where before age 18 we have to worry about finances, human rights, mental health, and so much more. But above all, it does not grant us the liberty of being a kid. There is no longer time for arts and crafts projects during class or reading books for fun. If an assignment or task does not prepare a student for a standardized assessment, it is considered worthless. This system seems to be one that is created by those with no understanding of how a child or student thinks. With certainty, I can say that being able to express myself in a creative way and having the liberty to discover knowledge through books is what made me who I am today. And isn’t that truly what education is about? Preparing someone to enter the world with a general knowledge and understanding of not just the inner workings of society, but of themselves. While there should be some standardization and exams are important, they shouldn’t be everything. No two people think the same and many students who are brilliant struggle when it comes to taking a test. The school system should be designed to serve the students, not the other way around.

It is easy for those in charge to simply say that they are going to enact change, but we have yet to see any results. In our society, very little can be done without money, and yet, there is not nearly enough of it dedicated to education. Teachers are having to spend their very limited paycheck on basic school supplies and art programs are left to using scraps of paper and decade-old costumes. The empty walls with peeling paint, flickering lights, and broken pencils are not good enough. Without the necessary tools for learning, education isn't just neglected but so are the students. We deserve better. Is it too much to ask for the governments to invest in our future?

Within the next ten years, I want just the bare minimum to occur. Education must become a priority, meaning that the interests of the students come first, standardized testing is reformed, and more money is put into the education system. After that, things like the gifted program and ESE accommodations need to be addressed. But taking it one step at a time, the bare minimum must be reached. Otherwise, with every day that passes, we jeopardize our youth and our future.