Schools In Crisis

If you're a FIRM believer that our public K-12 schools are failing simply because of a lack money from the Federal Government, STOP Reading. You'll find the next few paragraphs highly offensive.

THE PROBLEM IN OUR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, JUNIOR, & HIGH SCHOOLS IS (sound the drums), that many of our kids are uninterested, unfocused, and under prepared for success. I'm sorry, I can't blame teachers, either. Now, I'll admit. It's definitely a multifaceted problem. But, we tend to get the order of priority mixed up. Here let's try this view for a moment.

Scenario (Working Parents)
Child is allowed to behave in any manner that allows the parent(s) a semblance of peace once they return home from work. This child is this scenario is basically raising him/her self. This should be seen a judging working Moms & Dads. It's simply a recognition that if we work not at home from 7:00 - 6:00 (commuting, etc), it's really hard to provide hands on parenting, get the meals done, complete homework, prepare for the next work & school day, etc. Regardless, we find a family struggling from day to day to simply exist and not really tuned in to Jim Bob's or Darnell's success at school.

Result: Mr. or Ms. Teacher gets an angry (my parents don't have much time for me) child, teen, etc. each day at school. This child interacts with the other angry (my parents don't have time for me) children. Very little learning happens because these kids are doing everything EXCEPT school during the school day. Mr. or Ms. Teacher spends precious time with disciplinary problems.

Solution: I know what you're thinking. Throw the little bums out. My little Sally Jane can't learn a thing, because Susie Q. is constantly in trouble with the teacher and is basically a distraction. Sorry, "way back in the day" when we were teenagers, the trouble makers did exist, but they were few in number, the majority had the proper fear of their parents so as not to cause undue problems in school. Today, it seems its the majority who have the issues. And, only a small handful that are NOT trouble makers. In my opinion, schools get money for "butts" in seats. No little "butts" in seat. No money. So, unless Susie Q. does something HORRIBLE, she's likely to remain a pupil, continue causing problems, and help continue the cycle of a non-functioning classroom. This isn't a problem money can help directly. (I'll mention my solution a little later)

Scenario (Single Parent - Working or Non Working)
Alright, disclaimer. I know there will be a few who will email me or call the show to tell me that "My mother was a single parent and I did just fine. Why does everyone always pick on single mothers? Resist the urge to email me and consider you may not be the rule, you may be the exception. Not because mom wasn't a great mom. But, because hey - statistically single mothers are more likely to 1) live a more distressed socioeconomic lifestyle and 2) have to assume the role of mother and father and this is simply unfair. Your grandmother was right. It took two to get that little munchkin here, what makes it think it its reasonable to expect one to bear the burden of raising it. Two parents can provide a united front, back-up (when necessary), successful pull off a convincing good cop - bad cop, and just slow down the wear and tear that raising children can have on the body, mind & spirit.

Result: See Above. Angry, kid, yada, yada, yada...

Solution: Unreasonable one...see above (throw the bums out). Reasonable one...keep reading.

So, our schools are filled with distracted children who behave horribly. (Not Your Kid - Uh, yeah, okay - then your neighbors kids). The child that wants to learn is often trying to do it under nightmarish conditions. Chance are - in your teenagers school, there are on any given day, other children are trying to 1) sell him drugs, 2) sleep with her (some teachers included), 3) exclude her from the cool clique, 4) bully him, 5) chide her for not so cool clothes, weight, hair, complexion, etc. I left off a few, for fear you were becoming depressed.

Solution. As parents and educators, we have to take a more direct approach.

1) We do need school choice vouchers. Sorry. I'm all for public education. But, even public schools should have to compete. The value of a child's education should not be dictated by their zip code. That's not free and appropriate education. If another school has creatively found a way to manage the wayward imps, you should have the option to put your little (angel, whose never cause a problem in her life, and just wants to learn...yeah), in another school.

2) Never have tenure for teachers in K-12 unless you also have tenure review. Yeah, Mr. Bob works his butt off to become tenured only to never push the envelope of creativity again. If you must have tenure, you must have tenure review. Or complacency and just down right nuttiness is bound to raise its ugly head.

3) This option may actually require money. I'm sorry. Consider same sex classrooms and even schools. I know. It stinks. We did all that fighting to make sure girls could have the same opportunities and access to education as males and now there is actually some research to suggest that they do more learning - when they're not in the same classroom. Along this same line of thinking, do we really want 14 year olds in the same classrooms as 18 year olds. Don't think it happens. If a kid fails a class a couple of times, this is exactly what happens. Consider your neighbors kid who failed English I. Not your child, of course. Now, we've got "more aware", about to turn 16 or 17, Jane or Bob in a class with perhaps I'm still 14, impressionable Sam and Sue. Your child isn't likely to get into the details of the ages of children in their classes and it may not resonate with you. Recipe for classroom disaster.

4) More individualized instruction. This definitely costs money. Sorry. The more kids have trouble succeeding in class...the more kids have trouble succeeding in class. Compounding in essence. Joe has failed a course, and really feels like a failure. If his self esteem is bruised or wounded, he may start the semester assume he just can't get it. So, anything he actually attempts and does excel at essentially reinforces his already growing belief that he just can't do it. First, this child gives up mentally. And, then he gives up physically. He believes he can't do it. And, then he just doesn't do anything you ask him to do. Why should he? After all, in his mind, he already knows he can't do it. As children around him, actually start learning, he now has to seek other ways to "fill" his time. He stopped trying to follow the class discussion ages ago, but he's required by law to sit there unless he drops out. His parents really want him to try. So, he sits there. His school needs his butt in a seat (to get paid), so even if his behavior is seriously signaling that he needs a different environment, they keep him. Now, he's got spare time on his hand and 40 minutes remaining in a classroom.

5) We need a different set of Superintendents, and Principals. We need real creativity at the top. We need to take our schools more seriously. We're sending these people into war zones. Don't believe me. Become a substitute teacher. You'll get a much greater appreciation for what teachers put up with. I tried this years ago after completing my Bachelor's Degree. Why is the turnover so high for new teachers? Substitute teach, you'll find out. These young people figure out early that if they want to go to war, they can join the military. The pay may still be low, but at least they'll have a measure of respect and professionalism. People often disrespect teachers. You can't find a lawyer, doctor, nurse, President, Vice President, etc, who hasn't had a teacher. And, still this is a ripe area for Rodney Dangerfield no respect jokes.

Want another option? You could always home school. For all the flack this group receives, many homeschool parents manage to introduce their children to a variety of foreign languages, field trips, and higher math classes than would be available at your local school.

Well, feel free to drop me a comment and share your great idea to help schools succeed.