Holding Teachers Accountable

With the start of a new school year, we once again hear cries that we must hold our teachers accountable. Our educational system is in shambles, hold the teachers accountable. Our kids are falling behind those of other countries, hold our teachers accountable. Test them, fire them, make them stand up to the challenge.

Hang on a minute. When are we going to start making parents and students accountable? Why do we always have to blame it on someone else. Where is the "test" for parents? Do you read to your small children EVERY day? Do you read with your young children EVERY day. Is the home atmosphere conducive to doing homework? Are your children taught manners and values at HOME? Are the parents (or parent) there to offer help and support with homework?

I don't think the quality of teachers has gone down as much as the quality of the educational environment at home has gone down. It used to be that parents were INVOLVED with the education of their children both at home and in school. Teachers were held accountable by parents via interaction with them and the administration if necessary.

Unfortunately, many parents who want to be involved in their children's education send them to private schools or home school them. Again, this is taking the easy way out, rather than facing the problem and doing something about it. Again, the problem is NOT exclusively (if at all) the teachers. The problem is the parents who want to leave 100% of the responsibility for educating their children (socially, intellectually, morally, etc) to the teachers.

Test the teachers all you want. Fire the ones that don't make the grade. None of it will do any good unless we re-establish the home as the primary educator. Get your kids back in public school. Use your private school money to get a less demanding job. Get INVOLVED with the teachers and administrators of your school. Know what your children are studying and be aware of any difficulties they are having. Support them, help them, get help for them. Don't leave it up to someone else. Hold yourself accountable, as a parent, for the education of your children and the success of the educational system in your community.