Spring Break Brain Freeze: Rethinking Education in America
Viral video of college students’ historical blunders fuels debate on school choice and federal overreach
Spring break is a time of sunshine, beaches, and a brief escape from the grueling schedule of college for many students. But now, we have a recent viral video clip from our Florida beaches that has sparked a heated debate, not so much about drinking alcohol and raucous behavior but about the state of American education.
Yesterday, I wrote an article about Trump’s ending the federal Department of Education, handing control to the states. Grants will continue under the purview of the U.S. Treasury, while school lunch issues will go to the Dept. of Agriculture. A video featuring interviews with spring breakers conducted by Kaitlin Bennett has created a firestorm across social media. The interviews of spring breakers on the beach ranged from hilarious to disturbing, revealing a strong lack of understanding of basic American history and civics. College students seemed clueless about how America separated from the British, instead thinking it was Spain. They showed little to no knowledge of how our government operates.
Didn’t they learn this basic information in high school? They are now college students without knowledge of the most basic information. These weren't isolated incidents; they painted a picture that left many scratching their heads and, perhaps even more concerning, pointing fingers at the education system. Their reaction to any perceived failure in education is to question the role of centralized authority via the federal Department of Education. After all, the U.S. was number one in the world before the DoE came into play in 1979 and has since been on a steady decline compared to the rest of the developed nations. As a result, the Department of Education has often been a target due to its massive federal bureaucracy. Is it truly the most effective way to foster informed and engaged citizens? Or does it stifle innovation, homogenize curricula, and ultimately fail to deliver its promise?
While these spring break interviews are anecdotal, they bolster the common-sense argument for more school choice and for abandoning the failed government-run system. Perhaps it's time to explore alternative models.
