Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address on Jan. 8 was filled with the glowing optimism and self-praise commonly seen in election years. Among many ideas discussed, Cuomo discussed education and his proposed changes.

His education reform initiatives are necessary, but fail to entirely address the complicated issues within the education system.

A properly executed public education system serves as an equalizer to provide opportunities for children, regardless of their upbringing, zip code or economic status.

A successful education system is perhaps the single most important factor in a functioning democratic system that fulfills our Founding Fathers’ ideals of equal opportunity. When considering the income inequality, unemployment and poverty in New York state and the entirety of the United States, it is difficult to argue that equal opportunity is being fully achieved.

At Corcoran High School in Syracuse, the failings of the public education system are painfully obvious. Of 753 students, there is a 57.1 percent graduation rate, and a mere 5.2 percent of students are considered college or career ready, according to The Post-Standard.

Corcoran students in Syracuse simply cannot compete with other students. This is not due to their merits, it is due to our failings to create a public education system that truly serves as an equalizer.

This exemplifies the enormous failures of the education system.

Cuomo’s “education reinvention” consists of investing in the future by providing technology in classrooms through the Smart Schools Initiative, further incentivizing teacher performance through bonuses, and including state-wide, full-day pre-kindergarten.

Cuomo said technology is the “great equalizer.” However, a strong and effective education system is the true equalizer. Computers and high-speed Internet access do not create or guarantee great teachers, better schools and better opportunities for children. It gives greater access to information and creates students who are better prepared for the demands of the workplace. Consistent access to technology across the state begins to create equal opportunity, but by no means guarantees it.

The Smart Schools Initiative is a scratch on the surface of the depths of the flaws in New York’s education system.

Universal, full-day pre-K is certainly a step in the right direction, but — like Cuomo’s other initiatives — does not go far enough to ensure an equal playing field for students statewide. Universal pre-K helps children of all backgrounds prepare for elementary school and subsequently increases their chances for success.

Pre-K creates the foundation for success, but not necessarily success itself. For universal pre-K to drastically improve education, we must work diligently to improve all levels of the system.

Providing fiscal incentives for high-performing teachers in theory could improve the quality of education, but this depends on what exactly qualifies the teacher for a bonus. Measuring success is objective, and can be difficult to determine. A high-performing teacher should inspire students to pursue higher education and ambitious careers, provide a safe haven for learning and infuse students with the desire to learn. These traits cannot be measured by test scores or straightforward teacher evaluations. This initiative could potentially encourage better teacher performance, depending on how Cuomo intends to measure performance.

However, despite its downfalls, it is a small step in the right direction.

Education reform is an investment in the future of our nation, the health of our democracy and equal opportunity for the coming generations.

Cuomo’s “education reinvention” is more of a mild modification. In his words, “fortune favors the bold,” and his plan for reinvention is not drastic enough to be considered bold. This so-called “reinvention” lacks creativity and does not go far enough to build a truly successful public education system.

Rachel Potter is a junior political science and sociology major. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at repotter@syr.edu.

Published on January 13, 2014 at 1:58 am