Letter to the Editor: Politics Have Entered Education

Posted

In reading John McCroskey’s commentary “How Dare Parents Demand a Say in Their Kids’ Education?” I would note there is another side to his point of view. I believe there is an agenda to what’s happening in education today regarding the public and parents. I doubt it’s due to what parents witnessed when their children were doing online learning.

In fact, in the beginning, parents were praising teachers for what they saw as educators scrambling to interact with children in their virtual classrooms. Many parents indicated being very happy they didn’t have to teach their own kids. So what changed? Why are schools and school boards being attacked all over the United States?

Politics have entered education.

As far as “indoctrination,” the majority of that happens in the home rather than schools. Discussing different points of view helps to develop critical thinking skills so students can learn to use their own minds to make decisions for themselves. If parents don’t want different ideas taught, what does that say?

Parents always have a say!

However, it should be respectfully discussed starting with the teacher. A concern can be easily moved up the chain to the principal, superintendent and, finally, the school board should the concern continue. However, the harassment which has been witnessed, particularly at school boards nationwide and locally, is an uncalled-for response. And if one feels so strongly they cannot be civil, then maybe a different learning situation would be best for their child.

Keep in mind teachers and administrators are professionals who have spent anywhere from four to eight years of college in order to learn how to teach and manage school districts.



We already have legislators, with little knowledge of how education works, making laws that directly affect educational outcomes.

As far as having tax money following the child, that’s less union and more teacher and administration I would bet. You see, public education is the best thing we have going for all children. Those vulnerable students would be hurt the most from funding being removed from public education and educators know that is the case. These are often kids with more issues that require considerable help, therefore additional funding is needed, not less. So with COVID and homeless students increasing, we have extreme numbers of students with issues. Alternate forms of education too often fall short of good educational districts.

“The path to a better future goes directly through our public schools. I have nothing against private schools, parochial schools and homeschooling, and I think that parents with the means and inclination should choose whatever they believe is best for their children. But those choices cannot compete, and cannot come at the expense of what has been — and what must always be — the great equalizer in our society, a free and equal public education.” — Howard Dean

 

Vicki Daniels

Chehalis