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Who is responsible for solving problems with public education?

© R. L. Head

Before a problem can be solved, it has to be understood. The more complicated the problem, the more must be done before that is possible. In human problems, an important part of the equation has to do with who is responsible. In the case of education, the question is who is responsible for the education of our children? At this point, those involved in the debate regarding education include politicians, school boards, administrators, teachers, citizens, and parents. Is there one group that is ultimately responsible?

Politicians are supposed to be public servants. They are supposed to respond to the needs of the public they serve, listen to their concerns and try, with other politicians representing other people, to provide leadership and design a government that provides the best environment for its citizens without endangering their rights. Should we hold them responsible? They are supposed to be acting according to our expectations. We are supposed to be the source or, at least, resource for their actions. I don't believe the blame or credit lies with them.

School boards are, in many ways, comprised of local politicians. However, they are charged with the direct responsibility of running local schools within the general parameters defined by state and federal politicians. They are responsible for the overall design, implementation, and coordination of the educational system. Are we to blame them when the school system fails? They do hire the principals and other administrators who, in turn, select the teachers who are formally approved by the school boards in many, if not all, school systems. They are responsible then, to some extent, for putting the right pieces together to make the puzzle work.

Administrators are directly hired by school boards. While most individuals charged with the running of the school system come up through the ranks of teachers and/or educationally focused majors in college, they have little or no direct contact with students. Many administrators are directly responsible for the decisions regarding instructional coordination. Principals hire teachers. It is the teacher who is in direct contact with the student. Administrators have some direct responsibility.

It is the teacher who is in direct contact with the student. It is the teacher who ultimately decides what information will be presented (within state and federal guidelines), how it will be evaluated, and spends hours a day with our children. It is the teacher who provides an adult example of the kind of person we might want our children to emulate. After all, by placing our children in their care for 180 days a year, we imply that we respect teachers. Whatever we may say, this is what we do. I believe the case can be made that they do bear much of the responsibility for the education of our children. Now, what do we have a right to expect of our teachers? We should expect a great deal! In return, we should be prepared to allow them the freedom to do the jobs for which they have trained and are qualified, and we should compensate them for their efforts?