Cultural change needed to improve education in Mississippi

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Sen. Chris McDaniel Photo/submitted

January 22, 2012

Anonymous Laurel Leader-Call The Laurel Leader-Call Sun Jan 22, 2012, 10:14 AM CST

LAUREL — Philosophical reflection is a foundation from which enterprising solutions often sprout.

But, notwithstanding the inviting nature and relative safety of abstract thought, it is often necessary to concede weaknesses from an objective standpoint, understanding that brutal honesty can produce positive results.

Last Tuesday evening, while enjoying dinner, our group’s conversation turned to the state of education in Mississippi. Surrounded by visiting surgeons, attorneys and lawmakers, a seldom spoken moment of honesty regarding our public education system grew to dominate the night’s discussion.

Some argued that more money was the “magic-bullet” to our education ills, representing the politically popular opinion that additional funding would provide needed opportunity. Others insisted that educational reforms (e.g., charter schools, consolidation, merit pay) were more important than funding, and a few simply waffled back and forth between the contrasting positions.

Surprising, however, was the admission shared by all — that Mississippi suffers from a shortcoming in its culture, particularly when it comes to making education a priority.

It was a moment of clarity, the type of epiphany that only originates with the realization of a painful truth.

Like most of you, I love Mississippi and would never entertain the thought of leaving. It has blessed me and my family beyond comparison. I am proud to say that no matter our religious, racial or class divisions, Mississippians are part of the same extended family — a kindred of Southerners bound together by common heritage, shared struggles, collective heartaches and a loving God.

Still, despite being an excellent place to live and raise a family, regardless of our unparalleled expression of faith, art and literature, Mississippi remains at the bottom of the nation’s educational and economic ladder.

And we have only ourselves to blame.

It hurts to admit, but our state remains locked in a multi-generational struggle to realize our potential.

Central to the struggle is the reality that we have failed and are continuing to fail our young people, as we have been unable to instill within them, generally speaking, a love for education and the benefits that result from learning.

For all the theoretical discussions about money and reform, we are unlikely to reach our potential until we change that damaging part of our culture.

A sizeable percentage of our citizens simply do not comprehend the importance of a sound education, as it is not considered a priority to them. An inherited lack of hope dampens their attitudes, and a past dominated by poverty and suffering continues to dictate and define their futures.

I can write of this condition with confidence, because my extended family were victims of the same cultural confusion.

But for the demands of my mother and father, I would have surely been led astray by the whispers that have afflicted our people for generations. Doubt would have controlled my life, without parents who grasped the importance of education. They sacrificed for me — even though I didn’t always appreciate it — and became the secret to my success, however limited or broad. Their dedication to my education sparked a fire within me; they provided me hope and an opportunity to succeed. For that I am grateful.

It is a fire that still burns, today.

Government alone cannot solve our problems. We must rise as individuals, embracing community involvement and parental commitment. By taking responsibility for future generations we can make a difference.

Is money important to education? Absolutely. Are reforms needed? Without question.

But neither will solve our problems, unless we insist on changing the prevailing culture.

There are no magic bullets, no simple solutions.

The answer is to light a spark, child by child, from generation to generation.

Chris McDaniel is a state senator from Ellisville. He can be contacted at CMcDaniel@senate.ms.gov

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