Posted by
L Gravel on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 9:07:54 PM
One of the persistent messages I've heard over the years is that schools
are better the more they have parental involvement. The most
recent incarnation is a guilt-heavy radio advertisement playing around
here.
But doesn't that imply there's something wrong with the schools?
After all (strap yourself in now), teaching... is... not... rocket
science. There I said it. In fact, I'll say it again.
Teaching is not rocket science. Ahh, the first few times were the
hardest, but now it gets easier: teaching is not rocket science
teaching is not rocket science teaching is not...
Yes, there is an art to teaching. True, it's not for
everybody. Yes, there are some techniques involved. But you
get a reasonably competent teacher, some text books, a dry erase
marker, a white board, permission to boot the troublemakers, and
presto! Education happens.
Teachers bristle at this. They work sooooo hard. They're
sooooo dedicated. But you know what? So are police officers
and nurses and computer programmers and construction workers and tax accountants. We
all work hard.
So why do I have to involve myself with the school? I don't
involve myself with the local hardware store or movie theater or barber
shop or grocery store. The quality of the lettuce doesn't
deteriorate because I don't go to the Safeway board meetings.
Education is not the magical mystery tour -- it's a service, plain and simple, just like any other.
Except that it's a government monopoly.