Standing Up Against Those Common Criticisms

My View

Other than parenting and perhaps the ministry, serving in America’s public schools is the highest calling to which a person can aspire. It is the public school system that most accurately reflects the promise of America, a venue where everyone is welcome, regardless of economic status, religious conviction, gender, race, political persuasion, language of origin or mental or physical challenge.

Public schools nationwide continue to perform well notwithstanding the continued failure of many state legislatures and governors to support adequate, reliable and equitable funding of their schools. As a result, public schools in these states are forced to reduce staff, increase class sizes and reduce programs and services for students.

These actions come at a time when our public schools are serving an increasingly diverse student population, accompanied by higher expectations and ever-increasing societal demands. While diversity contributes to a rich educational environment, it also elevates challenges and costs. Even our best public schools are simply not good enough.

Common Refrains

When elected officials are confronted over their lack of support, they serve up a litany of common refrains:

• “Public school districts need to be more efficient.” An independent audit of most public school district finances will find little, if any of what some critics label “wanton waste.” Private companies could learn a lesson in efficient management from their communities’ public schools.
• “You can’t simply throw money at the problem.” I’ve served in public education for more than 55 years. Just once, I’d like to see decision makers throw money at the system. Financial resources directed to public schools will be used wisely and efficiently on behalf of children. Historical endeavors, such as landing a man on the moon, have proven that substantial investments in a specific public good can accomplish what might have been thought impossible. Let’s give it a try just once in public education.
• “There is insufficient state revenue.” This is the current favorite refrain of those opposed to adequate, reliable and equitable funding. Yet lack of revenue often is self-imposed. Decision makers have decided that tax cuts for business friends and supporters is a higher priority. The excuse of insufficiency is a matter of values. Even our nation’s early pioneers knew better than to eat their seed corn! Continuing to underfund schools is tantamount to mortgaging the future.
• “Public schools should adopt practices used in the private sector.” How often have we heard this one? In an interview, the CEO of a large manufacturing corporation was asked how his company produces a product of such high quality. His response: “We start with the very best raw material, and if we get less than the best, we throw it out and start over.” In public schools, we do not select our raw material or toss out the less than perfect. Every child who enters is welcome and entitled.
• "Increased revenue will simply be given to teachers.” This comment typically is made by the same people who admonish us to attract and retain the very best teachers and administrators. In all school districts, nearly 80 percent of the operating budget is invested in personnel because that is how we deliver critical services.

Few people choose a career in public schooling to become rich. Too little invested in staff deprives students of meaningful attention and encourages the private sector to recruit low-paid talented teachers and administrators from our ranks. A major portion of revenue will be invested, as it should, in the employment and development of personnel.

Advocacy Now

Public schools must remain America’s Promise, in spite of inadequate, unreliable and inequitable funding coupled with unrealistic mandates in many states. Public schools, the very epitome of the American dream, are in serious jeopardy. And, face it, for some of these critics, the primary goal is to replace public schools with nonpublic options.

This is no time for the timid or reticent. You and I must be willing to be visible, vocal advocates for the hundreds of thousands of children who attend our public schools and whose future well-being depends on what we do today.