"Of all the civil rights for which the world has struggled and fought for 5,000 years, the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental.” W.E.B. Du Bois, 1949
INTRODUCTION
My belief is that architecture can enhance and contribute to improvement in public education in the United States. First we must understand the problems faced by education today. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development,
(OECD) latest statistics released September of 2006, the United States is no longer the world leader in education of its people. The US still scores high at 39% of its 25-64 year population qualified to tertiary level of education, while the OECD average is at 31%. In age group of 55-64 years the US has the largest percentage with 36%, just ahead of Canada with 35%. Our proportion of educated population is dwindling; six countries surpass the US (36%) in the age group of 25-34 years. Canada has 53% in this age group followed by Japan (52%), Korea (49%), Sweden (42%), Belgium 41%) and Ireland (40%). A similar trend is seen in the completion of secondary levels, the US rate is 87% for ages 25-34. More than half of the 30 countries in the OECD achieved rates over 80%. Canada, the Czech Republic, Norway, Japan, Korea, The Slovak Republic and Sweden all exceed a rate of 90% in secondary completion. The future negative economic repercussions are evident as our economy becomes more global. (OECD, 2006, 2-4)
This vast problems leading to the decline in the global ranking of US schools cannot be addressed, in one document. The learning process is complex affected by all facets of a child’s life. The focus of my research is the enhancement community offers in the learning process.
All parts of a child’s life impact his ability to learn, perhaps none more than the lack a positive self-concept. Self-concept is enhanced when one establishes satisfying relationships with others—peers, teachers and adults. Positive feedback from these individuals boosts self worth and establishes sense of self (Irwin 6). Albert Einstein expresses these thoughts and direction of my research succinctly:
“The individual, if left alone from birth, would remain primitive and beastlike in his thoughts and feelings to a degree we can hardly conceive. The individual is what he is and has the significance that he has not so much in virtue of this individuality, but rather as a member of a great human community, which directs his material and spiritual existence from the cradle to the grave.” Albert Einstein