I have a question. What is the purpose of public education in the United States? Is it to create children who are good at a variety of different things? Is it to socialize children? Is it to introduce them to a variety of different subjects? Is it to teach appreciation for something like Beowulf? Is it to give the parents someplace to stash the kids while they work? Is it to give students a solid foundation in a variety of subjects? I daresay, many people would admit to never having really thought about it. Under pressure, some may want to pick two or three of the above, some would say it is all of the above. Some would even add to the list.
It is the fact that many have never thought about the purpose of the school system in the US and the fact that many would add to the above list that we find ourselves in the mess that we are in. We want schools to be all things to all students. We want schools to teach everything to our kids. Just think about what we ask our schools to teach: math, English, science, history, computer, foreign languages, home economics, shop class, art, music, physical education, health, drama, and all the sub-sections of every one of these classes. Then we move to the "other" programs that schools are expected to offer: anti-bullying, problem mediation, community volunteerism, couseling, services for students with special needs, both gifted and talented and remedial, and all of the sub-headings of these. Then, we move to all of the extra-curricular activities that schools are expected to offer. Then comes the hot breakfast and lunch programs, busing, field trips, in school assemblies, activity days, the list goes on and on and on. Of course, we are happy to advertise all of the services that our kids receive. We are the proud parents in these districts who get to say, "My kids go to XYZ School and we offer everything under the sun."
Then we get a look at the bill. We realize that these services aren't really free and that our tax bills are rising steadily. At first, it may be more of an inconvenience than anything else. Then the gas prices go up. Then food prices go up. Then your salary or that of your spouse decreases or you lose it all together. Then the schools who are facing the same price increases come to you asking for more money. What then? Are you still willing to pay for all of these services? Has your definition of what public education should be changed?
Now I ask another question, why is using SB-5 to "trim the fat" so bad? OK, I hear you. "What do you mean why is that bad?! Teachers and staff are losing their jobs! There are families who are going to be devastated by this! Think of the children! etc." Very emotional responses for a very emotional situation indeed. And yes, there certainly are going to be families hurt by this. If we are to be honest about it however, many of those same families would be hurt by individual levy after individual levy failing in May and November. SB-5 just gave us one big Boogyman to aim at. After all the dust from the failed levies settled, we would be in much the same place, and perhaps worse since the remaining teachers wouldn't be paying more for their healthcare, etc.
So let's set that aside for a moment and return to the original question which is, why is "trimming the fat" such a bad thing? We hear every single year about how American schools are so far behind many of the other nations in the developed world. We hear that test scores are lagging in the very things we used to be the best in the world at, the basics. When we no longer have the money to pay for things like photography, silk screening, and Mandarin Chinese (no kidding, they are real offerings in schools) we have to focus on the basics. We have to focus on teaching our kids a solid foundation of reading, writing, math, science, and history.
Before you start throwing things at the screen and wishing ill on my family, stop and think. When you don't have the money in your home to do things like go on vacation or out to dinner, where do your funds go? Clothing, shelter, food, right? The basics. They may be tough choices, but you still have to make them or you end up buried in debt.
When you have to go back to the basics at home, what happens to your family life? More focus on what is important in your home? More closeness because you spend more time together? More strength as a unit? Do your kids learn more about life and how to handle it?
What if the same thing happens in our schools? What if we really become student centered and focus on giving them the basics of the core subjects? Will test scores improve? Will students be better at learning how to focus on their subjects? Will students and families be more responsible for what happens in their schools? I hope so. I hope that we will use this opportunity to become stronger in our foundations and to learn what is really important. I hope that communities will focus on what schools should be providing. If parents want to send their kids to silk screening or Mandarin Chinese class, great. Every parent should have that choice. The schools just can't do it anymore.
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