SHORT COMMUNICATION 249
It´s No Coincidence
By
Roger Behra
The American military has put on a giant worry cap. It is a large one, indeed, because they have a giant worry to contend with. It is not coincidence that this is the case, although the military did not cause the problem. They are merely the victims of something that has been going on in America´s culture for quite some time. And sadly to say the military cannot do anything to stem the tide. The American government and the American school system are the culprits.
The problem started to become in 2003, and it has steadily progressed through 2010. Presently, nearly 1 in 4 students (23%) fail the military examination. That is the average. In some states ten to fifteen percent fail. In some states thirty-six to forty percent of high school graduates don´t get the minimum score needed on the test. That is close to 1 in 2 students. The worst percentages are in Education Trust report. All total, Blacks (39%), Hispanics (29%), and Whites (16%) fail to get the minimum score.
Failing the U. S. Army entrance exam is not the military´s fault. The failing paints a grim picture of the American education system that produce graduates who can´t answer basic math, science, and reading questions. It is a triple whammy for all of them. The graduates are not ready to begin college, a career, or be eligible to serve in the armed forces. It is a very troubling situation caused by America´s underperforming education system. Military readiness is also at stake here as well, and so is the culture in general.
The study examined only 350,000 high school graduates, ages 17 to 20, who took the exam. What about the millions who did not? A sizable percentage who did not take the exam are not only not ready for the military exam, they are not ready for much in the civilian sector either.
That study in essence put the big spotlight on both the U. S. Government and the American school systems. It really started four decades ago when the government took over American´s schools and greatly interfered. Now the government is reaping what it sowed. And the no child left behind has compounded the situation.
Great government interference=the underperforming school systems=the large percentage of 17 to 20 year old who are not ready for the military, non-military careers, or college. Sadly to say, when de U. S. Government Gets involved the result is most always a failure. Chalk up three more for the U. S. Government: the disastrous condition of America´s schools; the alarming worry of the military for readiness; that harm done to America´s culture in general.
Can you hear the loud laughter in these places: China, Iran Russia, North Korea, especially, and in other places that strongly dislike America? America can, and it is very disheartening, indeed.
R. B.
3-28-12