Lessons

Today on the news I saw students supporting their teachers by demonstrating with and for them. I think the media covering that situation were shocked. Applause to those students that are paying attention to what is going on in the political realm that affects their present and future. The public comments the media received are supportive of the students as well as adults. In another report this week a group of students and one teacher were arrested for protesting the closing of a school that has been educationally successful. These students realize that their educations hence there futures are in jeopardy. Education should be a high priority in all fifty states. The voting public needs to stand up and take notice.
I feel that we are forgetting some of the real issues. A reminder: it is each state’s responsibility to provide an education of K-12 for all citizens. This in turn is to be over seen by a local board that is also elected. Each board then makes decisions on behalf of its citizenry. The idea is that the local taxpayers take an interest and have ownership of the schools and the government by being activity aware and involved and by making responsible voting choices. The elected officials and boards should then in theory listen to their constituents and act accordingly. Many people/families find residences based on the quality of the education offered. K-12 is foundation and preparation for a person who graduates from high school to have options and choices for the future.
So this is a joint venture-the state needs to provide the teachers and the materials and the students take individual responsibility and ownership of his/her education and future. I feel however that educators, voters, taxpayers, and parents as well as students are not being permitted to be part of making those choices.
We tend to be doing some big sweeps of judgment. For example the rhetoric is that all public schools are not preparing our students to graduate. That all charter schools are good and public schools are bad. That the all or none attitude continues onto the public school teachers who we are told are not doing their jobs well. This of course has led to the law that can at the state’s discretion eliminate the local government and education boards that voters have put in place and an emergency financial manager is given sweeping powers to take total control.
Help! We need to stop and take a look at all the generalities. We have many schools across the country that are excellent as well as many excellent teachers. Thanks to dedicated teachers our students have the right (if the student so chooses) to build a strong diversified education with width and depth while in K-12 public school.
In most states it is a requirement of graduation that a person take a government course. Our students are looking at those lessons and looking to the significant adults in their lives for support and direction. As citizens we need to draw on that learning and remember the definition of a democracy. There are three branches of government for the purpose of checks and balances to use. The first amendment gives every citizen the right to free speech and peaceful demonstration. Being a citizen has privileges and responsibilities including voting as well as monitoring the various governing boards. Many taxpayers feel burdened by having to balance many aspects of life like spinning plates. This is one “plate” that needs to be looked at very carefully before the right to local government and choice is overtaken. Take notice, speak up, and be aware.