Parenting Public Education

Oprah highlighted the reform needed in public education this past week. She primarily focused on the movie, "Waiting for Superman" which opens in select cities this weekend. In my last post, I suggested that although Oprah and her guests may not represent or understand every problematic segment of America's public education system, the attention is warranted. Additionally, this movie and Oprah will spur discussions and awareness that must happen if the public is going to demand a change for public education.
Michelle Rhee appeared on Oprah and emphasized several points from the movie. Rhee believes that all students can achieve and that "adults are the problem." This "terminal" problem forces kids to be "guinea pigs," for teachers, and then there is a long process of firing bad teachers. Bill Gates agreed with Rhee. He also praised charter schools, but did acknowledge that poor ones need shut down. Guests also discussed the "1954 model for our schools," longer school days, better teacher evaluations and the fact that the current generation will be less literate than the generation before them. Globally, America ranks 25th in math and 21st in science. Rhee and Gates' discussion moved audience members, many of whom acted surprised.

I was overwhelmingly surprised as to how little Rhee and Gates mentioned that one, huge component in children's educations; guests only mentioned 'parents' a few times, and some of it was perhaps indirectly. Specifically, John Legend (the title vocalist for "Superman") stated, "it all starts in school." No, it does not. It starts with parents at home. On this polished show, no one corrected him, but this misstep demonstrates that the public largely places blame on public education. Students sometimes go home to drug-addicted caregivers, parentless homes, jobs or responsibilities concerning younger siblings. Teachers cannot complete with overwhelming home influences. Additionally, as more research concludes early interaction and education is vital for a strong educational future, a "start" at school is actually about five years too late.

Another indirect mention of parents occurred with praise toward a school that has teachers stay at work until 11:00 at night to help students with their homework. Some teachers also had school-provided cell phones to help with homework. If parents are a vital role in students' educations, we have to look at both sides of this. What if these teachers are parents and they work twelve hours a day? It could be feasible for schools to have "shifts" of teachers, but then would the teacher who assigned work be the one later helping with it? When would teachers parent their own children? Teachers will be the first to exclaim that parental involvement is a must.  We can only hope that the portion of Oprah's show where parents' role in education got edited out. Surely, Oprah and her guests know of the huge connection between successful students and parenting. While Oprah is a welcomed force to public education reform, hopefully her next show addresses parents' role in public education.

Photo Credit: Leonid Mamchenkov