There is a problem in public education that has to do with casting blame on others for whatever is not working in our schools.  Some of our children come into school without basic needs being met.  There are many possible reasons for this, some of which are economic, but they come to school each morning, “ready, or not” to learn.

Some of our schools have systems in place that allow teachers to keep on working long after they are effective because of seniority.  There are some teachers that simply aren’t good at their jobs, but no more than other professions.  And in my opinion, having worked in public schools in many different capacities, they are a small minority.

State governments make decisions based on statistics that they collect.  Most of them have not set foot in a classroom for decades.  They are out of touch with the reality of the school environment.  And in the last few years, standardized tests have taken so much time out of the limited hours for teaching, it is counterproductive.  Besides which, teachers are now being judged on the progress of the students based on these tests.  Anyone who makes these kinds of decisions regarding education should have to work as a substitute teacher for at least 30 days per year to see first hand what pressing issues are blocking children’s success and their readiness to learn.

My opinion is that we are all to blame for failures in the educational systems.  I believe it to be a social problem.  We are all part of the problems that exist in schools.  Too many reasons add up to no solution, because blaming others gets in the way.

There is enough blame to go around so that everyone has a share in it.  Whenever there is a problem in one area, the rest of us, not in that area, should run to try and help.  The community should pitch in and fill the gaps.

I think that in decades past, the world was simpler and the community was more involved in the raising of the next generation.  People knew each other in neighborhoods and took part in watching over all the kids.  Even just a sense of community helps children to feel cared for in their environment.  “It takes a village” is not a trite concept.

If we look at the “big picture” and think realistically about the next generation, we need to consider the cost of failure in public education.  Private schools are not the answer because we have to think of every person, not just the ones who have this opportunity.  Voucher programs are not sufficient to teach the entire population of the country at large.

I am not qualified to come up with a solution.  People from all stages and walks of life need to come and bring their ideas to the table.  Together we can tackle the difficulties and come to a consensus.  So much can be done if people come willing and ready to do what’s right for the next generation.  They are the future and they are worth it.  All of us will reap the benefits of their success or the repercussions of their failure.