#GOTEAMUSA #GoTeamUSAEducation
Today, I read with interest "Biggest Lugers" (http://espn.go.com/olympics/story/_/id/10322224/slider-tucker-west-makes-olympics-12-years-father-built-backyard-track-espn-magazine) the +ESPN article written by +Chris Jones @Mysecondempire. I think that Tucker West, @TuckerWest1 US Olympic Luge team member, is blessed with a father who believes in the Olympic dream. As a former college athlete, each Olympic season rekindles the thrill of patriotic zeal. Today, however, I pondered more deeply. WHAT IF?
WHAT IF parents/guardians spent as much time and money concentrating on the education of their students as they do on their recreational activities? I do realize that often it is the college athletics that can keep a college afloat due to the perception of a great athletic dynasty. Athletics adds fun and spice to any school. BUT...
WHAT IF parents/guardians/administrations cared more about the academic outcomes of their students?
WHAT IF students cared more about their academic outcomes than about the Friday night game, or what dress they wore to homecoming, or who would be homecoming queen?
WHAT IF diversity in school was more about the diverse schools to which our students were accepted, than about the race of the students in the school?
WHAT IF more parents/guardians/administrations were willing to extravagantly invest their time and money into academic outcomes as Brett West invested in creating a backyard luge?
Somewhere along the educational pathway in the USA, athletics and other non-academic activities became the way to keep students in school. National educational mandates now force accountability for test scores and graduation rates. Hopefully, we'll see our nation expressing patriotic zeal for #teamUSAEducation
What are your what ifs?
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