What Are the Real Problems with American Public Schools?

Note: this is reposted from last Wednesday.


By Roberta.


Part 5 : An Aging Population

It is no surprise to most of us that there is a graying of America taking place. More than 35% of Americans were under age 18 in 1965. Today that number is down to 25.5% of the population. (Source: U.S. Census) And the mass of the baby boom has not even begun to retire yet. The aging population of America and the increasing number of retired Americans will cause many stresses on society.

Number one, - fewer people in the work force will result in lower tax revenues overall at every level of government, exacerbating the recession. The increase in numbers of retirees will also stress the public educational system in many ways as well.

Seniors are a very potent voting bloc. Number one - they vote. And number two -historically, seniors tend not to support public schools, especially with their vote on local school levies. This is strange since most states offer property tax relief to seniors. These tax relief programs also mean less tax revenue at the local level. The great number of baby boomers will only exacerbate these trends. The current economic recession will make all of this even more acute.

I am a glass is half-full type personality rather than the half-empty personality type. I see these trends and instead of cursing the darkness I look for creative ways to solve them. Well, fortunately years ago many local school districts and even states began programs for senior citizens. Today these programs are poised to positively and creatively address the issue of an aging population. Hopefully as more Americans reach their golden years even more programs like these will be created.

Grandparents Day

Many schools across the nation have a Grandparents Day program where the grandparents of students are invited to spend a portion of or all day at their grandchild's school where they are one, honored and two are afforded the chance to see schools up close and personal. The best of these programs include the grandparents sharing stories with children about their life experiences and showing off their skills or talents. Some of these programs also give the grandparents gifts or coupons from local stores or local businesses or who donate freebies as part of their advertising budgets. This business involvement offsets the cost to the schools of Grandparents Day and also affords businesses the opportunity of being involved in the community. Many districts also have programs where grandparents and other seniors tutor students, or read to a child throughout the school year.
These type programs go a long way towards building bridges between seniors, the community, schools, and children. In the coming years as America's senior population increases there needs to be more such programs in more school districts as well as an expansion of these type programs.

Senior Citizens Programs

One of the best and most comprehensive programs for seniors is in North Kansas City School District (NKCSD). NKCSD has expanded their program from just including grandparents and opened it to all senior citizens in the community. The really great thing about this program is the depth and breath of activities seniors can participate in. NKCSD offers seniors a free, life long Golden Pass, a ticket that allows seniors access to the district's athletic, musical and dramatic events at reduced or no cost. With the Golden Pass card and an early morning reservation a senior can visit school for breakfast (cost $1.60) and or lunch (cost $2.75.) Seniors also receive a twice yearly newsletter with information on the schools and a schedule of special events. NKCSD also provides free Senior Seminars. Upcoming seminar topics include: Historic Quilts, Europe...Off the Beaten Path, and Healthy Food Choices. There is also a program called Living History, which is a totally volunteer program. According to the district web site this program "provides volunteer speakers to share a bit of their personal history with students, making history "come alive". Topics range from growing up on a farm or during the depression to the Olympic Torch to recycling and saving the environment."

However, NKCSD is far too modest. In actuality there are far, far more topics (over 50) than this blurb would suggest. A few select topics are: Black in Blue: Soldiers in the Civil War, Lewis and Clark, Growing Up in Japan, WW II Veterans, Women in the Navy, Jessie James, Being an Entrepreneur, The Art of Storytelling are just a few. What a wonderful way to make history and the classroom come alive and take learning beyond the textbook. You can see for yourself the range of topics offered by this program here. (PDF)

NKSCD also has a Senior Tax Exchange Program (STEP) that offers employment opportunities for senior citizens to work in the district and apply their earnings toward payment of school property taxes. Lest someone thinks this is slave labor, The STEP employee has the flexibility of choosing when and how many hours per week he or she works, as long as 78 hours are completed within one calendar year.

There is so much good in all of the NKCSD programs, especially if the recession is a long one, as I believe it will be or, worse if it becomes a full depression. There are opportunities in NKCSD for seniors to get meals and to work, key elements in FDR's Great Depression era programs.

Just FYI, NKSCD also offers regular Community Education Classes open to the public of any age as well. This type of program is an excellent use of our public school buildings and resources. I have always believed it is a waste to have school buildings closed most of the evening and during the summer. Programs like these make full use of our tax dollars and benefit everyone.

In Delaware the state created a Foster Grandparent Program that uses senior citizens to mentor and tutor special education and special needs children. While mostly a volunteer program, seniors who meet the low-income criteria set by the Corporation for National & Community Service can receive a stipend of $3.45 per hour for serving 15-40 hours a week.
Other opportunities and ideas to bring seniors into schools would be to provide free heath screenings for seniors such as blood pressure and other medical tests in the school setting.

Also, opening the schools before and or after school for seniors to exercise or walk in the gymnasium would contribute to the health of a local community. The possibilities are endless and limited only by our own creativity. I have shared with you only a few examples of the many things schools and educators are currently providing that maintain enthusiasm for our public schools among older Americans. Programs like these create a strong sense of community among residents as well as provide needed services for seniors.


These programs are a win-win and should be encouraged.