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John Florez: Stop tinkering, build common-good ed system

"The voucher debate was started by people who had the courage to reach out to others and act."

That's like saying WWII was started because of people who had the courage to reach out to others and act. The whole voucher thing was an aggressive attack on a public institution energized by a contempt for the very notion of a public good and civic responsibility.

You can't call vouchers a reform for education. Pass the vouchers and nothing changes. In reality, the are nothing more than a publicly-funded escape from participation from the public debate surrounding public education.

Making this political means it's a battle for control with winners and losers. Making this about education means we have to come together, recognize our common values and commitment to the ideals and objectives of public education, and then move forward making changes, even radical "blow-up" changes. But it has to be done together without the angry disrespect for teachers in the classroom, the elitist insults to our collective IQ, and the circle-the-wagons mentality of teacher unionists.

For some (especially those in power) the political avenue seems easier. Let's rise to the real challenge.

As long as public education teaches "to the lowest level" aka "no child left behind", there will be less than optimal results. As long as schools accept rebellious behavior in the classroom without expulsion or punishment there will be disruption in the learning process. As long as parents use the school system as a "Nanny" service without any involvement on their part, we will have problems.
A good teacher is worth their weight in Gold..but the concept of more money will make the system better is broken and without merit. We need people to teach that have the commitment and ability to teach..not just a "certification" and "degree".

Mr. Florez,

This piece was rambling and disjointed; if not inconsistent.

In this commentary you write: "The voucher debate was started by leaders who had the courage to reach out to others and act."

But on November 5 you wrote: "To use low-income parents as a way to promote school vouchers is deceiving and puts them in a situation no parents want to be in."

Today you wrote: "My loving critics complain that I do not offer specific solutions. All too often, individuals look to others for solutions, but our democracy doesn't work that way." Again, you offer only unsubstantiated criticism of public education, and you offer no suggestions for improvement.

John, before you and other parents point fingers at an under-funded, over burdened education system, perhaps you and most parents should look in the mirror.

Today the News published the following report: The child-heavy Beehive State ranks 36th in the country for the percentage of parents who read to their children every day, according to the report "Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook."

Parents' involvement and commitment to their children's education is the key to any success. Schools are merely a reflection of the homes of the children.