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7/29: We need to do
our part with education
Education Week reported that roughly 25% of what influences learning
happens at school. This statement, hardly counter-intuitive, supports
no argument that public schools cannot or should not perform at
the highest possible levels for any student. Nor does the statement
support inadequate funding for any public school. I would argue
that the statement places responsibility for student success where
it should be: squarely on the shoulders of parents, family and community
members, as well as our "stewards of the village square".
From every podium, lectern and pulpit we should hear, and we should
echo, the call to action to read to children, to articulate high
expectations for them to learn and to clearly demonstrate that we
all place the highest value on their education. Our personal actions
will have public results. Democracy and prosperity require a literate
population. Adam Smith, himself, argued that a suitable, visible
role for the hand of government lies in educating her citizens.
High sounding words won't get the job done. Ground level observers
know the complexity and challenge of getting good results in any
school. But neglecting educational needs of the middle class fuels
their retreat from public schools. This flight lessens political
and tax support for public education. Private school tuition constitutes
a hidden tax burden on those who are the backbone of our economy.
And, neglecting educational needs of the poor feeds the cycle of
misery and poverty and sends costs of public support sky high.
Clear sight and common sense require that we enter public education
improvement with the humility that no magic bullet will bring a
quick fix. Since none of us is blameless, perhaps we might avoid
assigning blame for the progress we have yet to make. Finally, when
our leaders do their duty and call us to do our part at ground level
or otherwise, let's bring our respective gifts to the hard task
of making public education work for us all.
-- Alan Hopkins, Charleston, SC
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