Education reform needs new attitudes from homes, Capitol

A few days ago, the Deseret Morning News printed a "My View" by Dave Thomas regarding the needs of education in today's changing and technologically innovative society (Jan. 6). I agree that parents want the best education available for their children but have differing opinions on how to achieve that.

A free, quality public education should be a right for every citizen. What some fail to recognize is that an educated populace benefits society as a whole. There have been complaints about paying to educate "someone else's children." That view is myopic at best. The children that we are educating now will become the workforce and leaders of tomorrow. It is imperative that they be prepared to deal with the society of the future.

I attended public school in the 1950s and 1960s in rural Utah and received an excellent education. Most of my teachers were well prepared, dedicated to their profession and excellent role models. The same is true for today's educators. By and large they want what is best for their students, they work hard and are willing to expend great time and effort to help their students succeed.

Mr. Thomas identified five things that we need to do right now to ensure a quality public education. I agree with each of them. I would, however, add three more.

First, we need a positive, supportive Legislature and electorate. Our elected leaders need to be positive rather than negative about education. Education needs to return to an era of being a respected profession. We need a Legislature willing to work as a problem-solving team with educators in mutual respect and concern. The best work is not produced by someone who is micro-managed. The world's great inventions came when people were free to imagine and work in an atmosphere of mutual respect and collegiality.

Second, we need parents who are willing to be parents. My own parents were in charge, they had been around the block and knew the value of an education. They didn't try to make it easy for me or make excuses for poor performance. They demanded that I work hard and be held accountable. As an educator, I dread the last few days of every term. Parents suddenly seem to realize that their child is not doing well and want to know how to "fix it." In our world of technology there is very little reason for a parent to not know where a child is academically throughout the term. Parents need to demand excellence and be willing to make the hard decisions. Academic achievement requires dedication and consistent hard work. It does not happen the last day of the term.

Third, we need students who are willing to make sacrifices now for rewards later on. Our society has fostered a culture of instant gratification. Education doesn't work that way. It takes diligent work over a period of time to achieve worthwhile goals. Far too many capable students transfer from challenging courses because they require too much effort or the courses take away from their free time. As a high school math teacher, I am saddened every time bright, intelligent, capable students drop an advanced class in which they could succeed with effort.

These initiatives will not cost a great deal of money, but they will require a fundamental change in our culture. We need to return to a time when an education was valued as a way to improve our future, when we were willing to do whatever it took to achieve.

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Allen Barney is a mathematics teacher at Alta High School and an adjunct faculty member at Salt Lake Community College.