Extra! Extra!

I covered a town hall style meeting with a candidate running for state office. During the question and answer portion a woman got up and started to knock education. She said her daughter; a high school senior and honor student can’t write or do long division.  Incredible.

She was blaming the system more that teachers. She found fault with the fact that teachers teach for the state tests, not for skills needed to get by in life; writing and long division.

As a parent of two high school graduates and a high school freshman, I wonder where she (the mother) was for the past years of her daughter’s education. Why is it only now that she is noticing these problems?

My wife and I occasionally read my son’s reports and homework. We did the same thing for the older two. Mostly, it’s out of interest in what they’re doing in school, not to check-up on them. See, we went to their wrestling matches, track meets, lacrosse and soccer games, so why shouldn’t we be interested in their school work too?

My wife and I feel we have an obligation to see that our children do the best they can, and we’re there to help… if needed. We are not there to be idle by-standers to criticize the end results. I guess it’s just easier to point the finger.   

“Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.”

  - Albert Einstein