In 2024, The 74 published a compelling collection of essays addressing the most urgent issues within the education landscape.
From financial struggles facing school districts to ongoing hurdles in STEM education, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and debates surrounding the future of the U.S. Department of Education, these op-eds not only informed audiences but also ignited critical discussions about the factors influencing schools and students across the country.
Here’s a look at some of the standout essays from this year, arranged without any specific ranking.
Financial Challenges and Reforms
- San Francisco’s Budget Crisis: A Revenue Dilemma by Chad Aldeman
San Francisco’s current fiscal struggles highlight the extensive financial challenges many school districts encounter.
The city grapples with a budget where expenses overpower income, prompting drastic measures like significant teacher salary increases.
This predicament, coupled with declining enrollment and the push for sustainable teacher-student ratios, reflects a broader issue affecting districts nationwide.
- Persistent Financial Trouble in Urban Districts by Marguerite Roza & Maggie Cicco
Roza and Cicco analyze the ongoing financial chaos affecting major urban school districts.
They explore a variety of contributing factors, including fiscal cliffs, declining student numbers, union challenges, and mismanagement, while proposing potential strategies to address these issues.
- Revisiting the Department of Education’s Role by Mark Schneider
Schneider argues for a thorough reconsideration of the responsibilities held by the Department of Education.
He suggests that many of its duties could be reassigned to other entities.
Instead of shutting it down, he advocates for essential reforms to enhance its efficiency and relevance.
Innovations in Education
- Rethinking the School Year in Richmond by Jason Kamras & Taikein Cooper
The pandemic prompted Richmond Public Schools to reassess their academic calendar.
Rather than reverting to standard practices, they chose to extend the school year, a move that garnered support from both families and educators.
This decision paid off, showing marked improvements in student literacy and attendance.
- The Overlooked Value of High-Quality Teaching Materials by David Steiner
Despite significant investments in high-quality instructional materials, many teachers hesitate to employ them, often fearing that students may struggle with challenging coursework.
Steiner suggests actionable strategies to bridge this gap and enhance educational outcomes.
- Revitalizing STEM Education: Innovations Needed by Michele Cahill, Anne Mackinnon & Talia Milgrom-Elcott The authors propose that creating engaging classroom environments and forming partnerships with industries could significantly heighten student interest and engagement in STEM fields.
Addressing Student Needs
- Youth and the Pandemic: Immediate Action Required by Robin Lake
While many students show signs of recovery from the pandemic’s negative impact, Lake warns that vulnerable populations—especially young children—still face considerable challenges.
She calls for urgent measures to combat learning loss, absenteeism, and teacher burnout, cautioning that the pandemic’s legacy could affect an entire generation.
- Listening to Students: Addressing Their Concerns by Elisa Villanueva Beard Beard discusses a tutoring initiative aimed at supporting students impacted by COVID’s disruptions while simultaneously expanding the pipeline for future educators—a proactive approach to education reform.
- Empowered Students: Advocating for Change in NYC by Alina Adams
This essay tells the inspiring story of a group of New York City high school students who successfully campaigned for enhanced teaching methods in their pre-calculus class.
Their efforts exemplify how student advocacy can lead to meaningful changes in educational practices.
Through these essays, The 74 has played a crucial role in fostering essential conversations about the current landscape and future of American education.
By amplifying diverse voices and perspectives, they are shaping the dialogue that will influence learning in schools for years to come.
Source: The74million