Landmark 1983 Report Faced Backlash but Changed U.S. History by ‘Changing the Way We Look at Education and Putting It Back on the American Agenda’
In anticipation of the Reagan Institute’s Education Summit commemorating the 35th anniversary of the release of "A Nation at Risk," is presenting an exclusive series of articles, essays, and retrospectives on the impact and aftermath of this influential education report. You can find the full series here.
In April 1983, a week prior to the publication of "A Nation at Risk," I personally handed a copy to then-Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell. As he read through the report for the first time, I anxiously waited for his response. Upon finishing, he expressed his surprise, elation, and apprehension.
This concise 36-page report delivered a scathing critique of the American education system, highlighting its subpar performance compared to other developed nations. Bell anticipated that the report’s provocative title and content would provoke backlash from the education community.
And he was correct. The education establishment indeed reacted strongly, with some educators feeling attacked for the state of American education. However, as The New York Times aptly noted in June 1983, the report managed to push education to the forefront of public debate, with an urgency not seen since the Soviet satellite shook American confidence in its public schools in 1957.
Suddenly, it seemed as though everyone had a vested interest in the issue.
The influence of the report was particularly evident in the actions of state governors. Leaders such as Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Bill Clinton (D-AR) promptly pledged their commitment to addressing the report’s concerns. In 1989, newly elected President George H. W. Bush brought together all the governors for a summit in Charlottesville, Virginia, to discuss national education goals.
The brevity of the report deserves special attention. As members and staff of the National Commission on Excellence in Education began crafting the final report, we had thousands of pages of research, statements, and discussions to work with. Determining how best to distill this wealth of information into a report proved challenging after more than a year’s worth of work.
Nevertheless, the commission members, each bringing their own unique life experiences and perspectives, managed to reach a consensus on the report’s content and format. Instead of a research paper, they wanted to present their conclusions and recommendations as a national report, urging the public to respond to the urgent need for education reform.
All commission members signed this impactful critique of American education, united in their belief that consistent themes permeated everything they had heard and read: our students lacked a comprehensive curriculum and did not dedicate enough time to core academic subjects. Both students and teachers needed to strive for higher standards. Providing a quality education to all, regardless of race, class, or economic status, was in the nation’s best interest.
While critics may have questioned the report’s length and format, its profound and unwavering impact on American education history is undeniable. Then and now, our nation’s economic security and our ability to prosper as a democratic society rely on a generation of students equipped with solid academic knowledge, world-class technical skills, strong work ethics, and enthusiastic, analytical minds.
Since the publication of "A Nation at Risk," positive changes have been made to the education system. There exists now a widespread acceptance of higher standards and expectations for student learning and achievement. The quality of teaching has gained increased attention, as evidenced by the establishment of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The number of students engaging in the foundational curriculum outlined in the report has skyrocketed. The growth of charter schools demonstrates a willingness among states and districts to pursue organizational changes aimed at improving student performance.
However, amidst our focus on education reform, there is one crucial factor that we sometimes overlook. Ultimately, our schools must prepare young individuals for life in a democracy. Students must possess the attitudes and skills necessary to contribute to their communities and society at large. Education must instill in every student a sense of civility, respect for others, and a deep understanding of civic responsibility.
Following the release of the report, Secretary Bell and President Ronald Reagan embarked on a nationwide tour to promote education reform. They organized a series of public forums centered on the report’s recommendations. The president and the secretary encouraged states and localities to dedicate their efforts to improving education within their school districts.
In 1984, during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, President Reagan remarked to the commission members, "It is no exaggeration to say that your report changed our history by altering our perspective on education and returning it to the forefront of the American agenda."
Dr. Milton Goldberg, previously serving as the executive director of the National Commission on Excellence in Education, holds considerable expertise in the field. Notably, he played a crucial role in the publication of the influential report "A Nation at Risk" in 1983. This esteemed individual has been invited to participate as a panelist at the upcoming Reagan Institute Summit on Education.
