School Situations

You know, I understand why people are upset by the idea that budget cuts mean schools are going to be impacted. I truly do. After all, I'm a teacher, by trade.

My stomach sank this morning when I saw the Detroit school system may have to increase High School classes to 60 students. I hate that neighborhood schools may close by the dozens. I wish our country had been more financially savvy so this wouldn't have happened.

BUT, insolvent state governments CAN'T run schools. Less money = fewer programs. And, sadly, decades of throwing money at public schools hasn't improved things. That's the grim reality.

For years, we've been funneling money to schools that are not turning out close to what they should be in terms of student performance, graduation rates, or ability matched to intellect.

Yet, the problem hasn't been with the school administrators, the teachers, or with low-income programs such as early Pre-K and free breakfast/lunch. No, it's not an economic problem.

It's a problem with American families.

Sorry to say, but if it's broke at home, that translates to students who are ill-equipped to learn.

Most of you reading this have an intact family meaning Mom/Dad are still married and living under the same roof. Most of you are fairly well-off. Most of you live in an area where you don't fear gunfire and gang activity. And all that is good.

However, there are those families whose daily lives involve one parent, multiple jobs, paycheck-to-paycheck living, and DO live under fear of violence on a daily basis.

Given this disparity, it is incumbent on those of us who are stable to take action with our kids so they become the model students who are looked up to and respected, not only by the teachers, but by their fellow students.

That may seem like a simple solution, but it isn't unlike what a good Christian does for those around him: models what others don't have, but want. And makes them question "What am I missing? How can my life be better like that person's life?"

If you are one of the fortunate families that can be a lighthouse to others, there are very simple ways you can insure your child gets the best from their education and, along the way, demonstrates a way of living that others want to emulate.


1. Help your kids with homework.

Homework is one of the easiest and best ways for parents to get involved. Not only does it provide one-on-one time with your kids, which facilitates conversation and helps you stay in touch, but it also gives you a glimpse into what your child does and doesn't understand. That knowledge can be invaluable in getting help for a child who is slowly slipping behind.

Your kids should have something to do in the evening. Period. If the school isn't providing it, go to your local bookstore/teacher supply and pick up something to review. Make it something basic, like reading, writing or math, and make it short--15 minutes, tops. If you find your child is having trouble in a particular area, focus on that. And schedule a conference with the teacher to discuss your concerns.

It is incumbent to know what your child is learning and if they are struggling academically. Over and over again, I have seen bright, even gifted, children who have fallen behind academically get so frustrated with their inability to learn in the classroom that they become discipline problems. And this is avoidable IF we work with our children, figure out where they are lacking, and offer our support to help them overcome their issues.

Parents who don't know what is giving their child trouble can't advocate for them. And you, not you child's teacher, are the best advocate for your child.

It all starts with working together at home.

2. Volunteer at the school.

Part of what drives teachers batty is all the extra stuff they have to do once the kids are out the door in the afternoon. It's the administrative stuff that about kills them. That's why parent volunteers are so crucial.

If each class had a volunteer take 20 minutes of work off the teacher's load, this would allow each teacher over 1.5 hours of time to focus on the needs of her students.

Correcting papers, putting smiley stickers on homework, stapling worksheets, filing books, redoing bulletin boards...the list is endless. And a good teacher, who realizes she can't do everything, will gladly let you come and volunteer your time.

And, it never hurts to provide a little "happy gift", either. An extra six-pack of water,a bag of trail mix, or a fun pen to grade with are cheap and can bring such happiness to a teacher.

It's the small tokens, like a few minutes of help or a kind note, that teachers like best because they prove that someone is noticing they are working their tails off.

So volunteer regularly to do something, not out of compulsion, but out of the kindness of your heart.

It will show you are glad your child is getting a good education from a good teacher at a good school.

3. Discipline your kids.

When I was student teaching, back in the day, I had a student who was generally a good, sweet, kind girl. Her name was Kathryn and she sat by the hellion in the class, Jeffrey.

One day, Jeffrey's bad attitude got the best of her and she became disruptive. I called Kathryn down once, but she continued on. Because it was so uncharacteristic of her and I KNEW she knew better, I called her parents.

Her father was very receptive to the call and told me he would take care of the situation that evening. And, boy, did he!

The next day, I learned that the sunny-destination-Spring Break trip Kathryn and several of her friends had been planning for many weeks had been canceled. At the time, with no kids of my own, I thought this was a little drastic.

But, do you think I EVER had any discipline problems from Kathryn again? Heck, no. She, once again, became the model student.

THAT is what good parenting can do. It sends a very clear, very loud message that you have expectations. And, overall, it's what's been missing from our schools for the last couple of generations.

I remember being afraid of the consequences of getting in trouble at school, not because of what would happen there, but what would happen at home. Never, in a million years, would my parents have thought about MY rights at the school and filed a lawsuit. They thought about how MY actions affected those around me and demanded that I act in a way that was conducive to everyone being able to learn.

Somewhere, that mentality was lost; we need to find it again.


Now, I can hear the peanut-gallery loud and clear in this issue: "BUT...."

1. I have other small children at home. Do you have neighbors with small children, too? Trade off with them and both of you can have a day to volunteer. Do you have a neighborhood drop-off center where you can leave your cherub for an hour? Social interaction with other kids never hurt anyone. What about a Grandparent or a Godparent? Would they like the chance to spend time with your child?

2. I work. Do you have vacation time? Comp time? A lunch break? Can you go in a few minutes late, once a week/month/quarter? Is it time to consider fewer hours at work, to the benefit of your family?

3. Insert any other excuse here. Excuses, quite frankly, are what got us into this mess to start with. Figure out how to make it work.

Your job doesn't stop when you've done all the things above, though. In fact, it has just started.

Because we also must realize that there are lots of kids whose parents aren't home in the evening to help with homework, whose parents will never darken the door of the school to volunteer OR show up for "mandatory" conferences, and whose parents won't discipline them appropriately.

And, if your kids are on-track, you'll have time to pick a child who you see is at risk and VOLUNTEER TO HELP THEM. Most schools have buddy programs waiting for volunteers who can help little Johnny or Suzy by reading to them or helping with their Algebra or just sitting with them at lunch so they have someone who will listen to them.

If your school doesn't have a program like this, maybe now is a good time to start one. Maybe your local church can help. Maybe the apartment complex in your neighborhood can offer their facilities for an after school homework program. Maybe one exists but it's underutilized because of lack of money for publicity.

Because the bottom line is that the children who are being neglected by their parents ARE your problem. They WILL become the ones who create a classroom environment that will block your child from learning. And, someone has to help them.

In other words, stop making excuses. Stop standing around wringing your hands and crying "Woe is me". Do what Christ would do: show compassion to those in need.

It's time to step up, America. It's time to become the parents God wants us to be. It's time to get involved.

If we don't, we are going to fall squarely on our face. And our children, this country's future, are going to be the ones left wondering why our generation let the idea of a good, free, public education become nothing but a long-forgotten memory.