Editorial: Public Education
By Scott Walker, M.D.
Dear Neighbors,
Strong public schools are good for everyone. The fact that many voters recently said “no” to new local school levies tells us that this is not obvious, and needs airing. Our current, badly fractured society is in part a consequence of our conflict about the cost and utility of public education.
Schools provide students with the tools they will need for future learning. Yes, there is a relationship between accomplishment in school and economic security later in life. Schools help socialize our children and build their problem-solving skills. Yes, there is a relationship between non-success in school and future criminal activity. Whether a child becomes a tradesperson or an entrepreneur, a farmer or a lawyer, there is no circumstance in which the possession of better language and math skills counts as a liability. Since we will all, in our retirement, rely upon the productivity of the next few generations, it serves our interests now to educate our children as broadly and as well as possible. They must compete in the global arena; we can’t afford to have them lose ground.
The most inclusive possible schools are preferable because some people, for whatever reason, may not be naturally inclined to see other people as equals. Strong public schools can show how foolish that is. Strong schools, with good teachers backed up by a caring administration, would give rise to a student body that feels comfortable with diversity. And the future is full of diversity.
We can’t help but notice that some households fail to teach personal boundaries and mutual respect before their young ones arrive at school. In this case, peers become invaluable teachers. Our current drift toward voucher schools only reduces the opportunity to learn about the strength to be found in diversity. We must operate a system of public schools that competes favorably with voucher schools and attracts students from across the large spectrum that constitutes everyone’s community.
What is needed to make a good school is a nucleus of good teachers? Come to think of it, one could do worse than a core of good public school teachers as the basis of a community. We need to attract, reward, and retain top tier teachers. This costs money that some community members are unwilling to spend; but like any service, you get what you pay for. Increased salaries and cash bonuses are the easiest incentives to offer, and can be used both to reward current educators and to recruit new talent. Retention probably requires parental involvement more than additional funds, but I know that both can be hard to find.
We want our schools to be safe, and to provide our children with the basic knowledge and skills to fit themselves into society and the economy. Without fail, in the time they spend in schools, they will also learn values. Schools, school districts, and school boards must be aware of and transparent about the values that are being taught. Parental input must be welcome and utilized, and where disagreements exist, science must be the deciding principle. I would echo Plato when I say that, “Truth is the first of all virtues,” and should be included in every curriculum.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. Go to School Board meetings. Get to know the teachers. And when you have the chance, vote to strengthen schools.
