Education Reform

I believe enforcing discipline in the classrooms is key to a good all-around education.  It is key to self control, self respect, and most importantly, respect for one another—something our society so clearly lacks!  Discipline not only includes enforcing standards of behavior among students, but also requires organizational discipline on the part of teachers.  I saw one news program that highlighted how well behaved were students in a classroom that was physically well organized with a teacher that stuck to a well-planned schedule.  Those students could easily find the educational materials they needed within the classroom and knew what was expected of them throughout the school day.  The students were also taught to clean up after themselves.

 

Student behavioral standards need to be well understood by both the students and parents, and evenly enforced.  In fact, I support signed agreements between the school and parents indicating the parents' agreement to those standards and punishments for misbehavior.  In the case of chronically misbehaving students, parents need to work with the teachers to address this, not blame them or be in denial of their child's behavior.  Studies show that problems with a chronically misbehaving child usually stems from problems at home where a child does not feel loved or safe.  Studies have also shown that the most important relationship in the life of children is their relationship with their father.  Chances are that if you interview prison inmates, you will find they had serious "father issues." 

 

I also reject the idea of relaxing discipline standards because one part of society believes their children are unfairly being targeted or "over disciplined."  If you have well understood standards of behavior and get the parents involved, this should not be an issue.  And if the parents refuse to get involved, then the children will only suffer more on several accounts.

 

I would also encourage schools that don't require uniforms to reconsider that decision.  I believe a child needs to feel a part of something that is greater than they are and I think uniforms help satisfy this need.  I'm not into the theory that a child needs to be free to "express themselves" especially at young ages.  They need guidance, rules, discipline, and a safe environment.  Uniforms also help with the decision on what to wear each day and head off family arguments or jealousy among students who may covet another's nicer clothes, or worse, feel inferior to them.

 

I believe that cell phones should have no place in the classroom and only serve as unnecessary distractions.  I've heard stories of parents texting their children multiple times a day while in school.  Parents need to let go and let their child learn how to be self sufficient.  The last time I checked, schools still had phones parents could call in case of an emergency at home.  Students also don't need to be checking social media while in class or bullying others trying to learn.  Schools could install cell phone lockers where phones are required to remain for the duration of the school day. 

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I've seen the reports lately on schools around the country noticing an increase in behavioral problems with students post-COVID, and states enacting stricter discipline measures to correct those behaviors.  I support these measures and again encourage the close involvement of parents so it is crystal clear what is expected of their children. 

 

One particular behavioral issue that greatly bothers me is when a student physically assaults a teacher.  In many cases, the teacher is not allowed to defend themselves or strike back.  I think this is ridiculous.  My sense is that this behavioral problem stems from parents who to not teach their children to respect them and other adults.  It seems all too often I'll witness a child in public striking a parent or other adult in anger and suffering no consequences.  That is a behavior that needs to be addressed at the earliest of ages.  And if it isn't, then in my book, that child will suffer the consequences with their teacher, or worse, the law.

 

Academic standards also need to be very clear, enforced, and strictly adhered to.  This is especially critical at the end of the school year when a teacher or school must decide whether that student gets promoted to the next grade.  This hit home with me early in my career when I lived in the Baltimore area and was a volunteer tutor for individuals seeking a high school equivalency diploma.  I recall helping one student in his early twenties with math.  I literally was teaching him basic math skills and was shocked to find out he actually already had a high school diploma.  He told me, "I don't know why my teachers kept passing me because I never learned this stuff." 

 

So for you teachers out there who are passing students who haven't demonstrated competence in the academic material taught to them, you are not doing them any favors!  In fact, by passing them now you are setting them up for failure later in life.  I'm sure there are many reasons why teachers pass failing students such as pressure from parents and/or school authorities, fear of being accused of racism, or desire to get rid of a student with chronic behavioral problems.  But that needs to stop.  And the solution is not to dumb down our academic standards but challenge the students to rise up to achieve them.  I'm also thinking it probably requires more paperwork to fail a student then pass one, so if that is true, then maybe it's time to reverse that.

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Speaking of academics, it is time to strengthen our curriculum to include more civics classes.  It is pretty pathetic when more than half of Americans can't even name our three branches of Government and over a quarter of Americans can't name any First Amendment freedoms.  I have to agree with the comment made by Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, who said, “It’s troubling that so few know what rights we’re guaranteed by the First Amendment. We are unlikely to cherish, protect, and exercise rights if we don’t know that we have them.”  (https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/education/3640520-less-than-half-of-americans-can-name-all-three-branches-of-government-survey-finds/)

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In addition to civics classes, we also need classes on civility, ethics, and morals.  We need to better teach our children how to be kind and respect others, especially in their communications.  We also need to better teach them how to do the right thing went tempted by peers or others to engage in risky and harmful behaviors.  They need to know there are trusted adults they can go to when faced with difficult pressures.  This is especially important for schools in areas known for high crime rates, gang activity, and minimal parental supervision.

 

We also need to add a requirement for students to successfully complete financial management classes in order to receive a high school diploma.  We need to start teaching our young people how to budget and save money, and make sound decisions when making purchases, especially large ones.  They need to be taught how to live within their means, not how to borrow as much money as possible on things they don't need and can't afford.  Our own Congress is a perfect example of what happens when you don't have this type of education, and unfortunately our younger generations are going to be left with the horrendous and continually growing debt they are leaving behind.  Of course, if you vote for me I will do my best to eliminate that debt growth.