*Educational Reform? That Begins at Home

If you are a veteran teacher, you doubtless have had this experience. On Home and School day, or whatever it is called locally, the parents of your best students show up en masse. The parents of your most difficult students are no where to be found. Or, if they are there, reveal through their behavior why their child is a problem to begin with. One of the most fundamental problems teachers face is unloving, uncaring and/or incompetent parents. 

School critics demand "educational" reform. When they do they specifically intend that schooling be the recipient of their tender mercies. But what educational reform actually requires is not mere school reform, but parent improvement. At bottom, educational reform begins with better parenting; because the home, not the school, is the preeminent educator of children.

Even recognizing this obvious reality is politically "incorrect." The no responsibility line is that child rearing practices vary from group to group and no one way of raising children is better than any other. This "nonjudgmental" view is fine so long as you don't have to accomplish anything with kids in the classroom. If you do, however, it is another matter. When it comes to a child’s school success, there is very little than can substitute for caring, concerned, wise and well-informed parents. Parents who do their intelligent best to insure that their children are well brought up. This is the truly solid foundation upon which build a successful school experience.

It’s not hard to figure out why the parental dimension of "educational" reform is ignored. It’s a political minefield. Imagine the reaction if the President of the United States went on national television and sternly told America's parents something like this,

“You parents are, far and away, your child’s most important teacher. Too often parents provide inappropriate examples and/or  fail to provide adequate love, limits, direction or support. Don’t expect teachers, or anyone else, to do that job for you. Good parenting requires YOUR best efforts. That is why educational reform begins with you. 

No child asks to be born and when you bring a new life into this world you have a non-negotiable obligation to nurture and properly direct that life. This requires self-sacrifice. To not be selfish and ,instead, provide  proper examples. For instance, by keeping yourself  physically fit and not abusing drugs, cigarettes or alcohol. Also by encouraging your children to read and to value learning by reading and learning yourself. This list goes on and on. But that is because good parenting is relentlessly challenging to. Nevertheless, being a proper example is still is a non-negotiable requirement of good parenting. ”

Such a message would not be popular with many. But it is the bald truth that is long overdue.

To examine these issues further, see articles at www.newfoundations.com