Educate

  It has been with much interest that I have been following the education fraud cases in the news. I had four children in public schools in a big city. The schools were horrible.

I taught all of my children to read because the schools did not put much effort into what they were being paid to do. I also worked with them on all their other subjects. If I were a good teacher that is what I would have done for a living. Patience is key and I am not good with patience.

For instance my son was in the second grade and I noticed that he could not read as well as a second-grade student should. I went to the school to talk to his teacher. 

She said she was glad to see me. I asked her why she did not call me. I was informed that so many of the parents do not want to be bothered. I replied, "Bother me!"

I said that if I could get a copy of the reader they were using I would work with my son at home. She gave me one.

Then she proceeded to tell me that when she would tell the children to take out their workbooks my son would just sit there with his arms crossed. She was afraid of him.

"He is 7 years old! Tell him to take out his workbook!" I was getting angry with her so I left.

I went to the principal's office to talk to him about the situation. His response was, "Well you have to understand that she is going through a nasty divorce."

In the first place I have to understand nothing. That phrase sets me off like no other phrase. Besides she had been divorced for at least ten years.

Within a week my son brought home copies of every book for every subject they were learning. Of course I helped him. I was so happy when he advanced to the next grade.

Now I will pull my old woman routine and talk about the good old days. When I was in school there were at least three grades to a classroom. The teacher taught all subjects to each grade. I had a good education.

Part of our education was to prepare us for life. We learned how to write checks and balance checkbooks. We learned how to apply for a job. We learned how to greet people. We learned the correct way to introduce one person to another. We learned manners and etiquette. My children learned none of that in school.

I applaud the parents and children who taught and learned. We had no homework. Today children are expected to spend almost as much time doing homework as they spend in school. It is not easy.

For children and parents who work hard to earn good grades so they can make better lives for themselves I congratulate them. Then to see them passed by for students whose parents bought the way into college for them is inexcusable.

Bribery, paying for a new wing for a building, donating to a sports team. Those are not doing favors for their children. It only teaches them that cheating and scamming is the way to get ahead in life.