School Reform

Whose voices should be considered in the process of school reform--the voices of students, teachers, community members, local school board members. . .those of state- and/or federal-level politicians?  What is the level of impact that each of these stakeholders has on the system as we know it?  What are the moral, philosophical, and social ramifications of the power, or lack thereof, of each of these voices?  What voices are present at the David School?

      As the old expression says, "it takes a village to raise a child".  The process of school reform should involve every member of society in any way possible.  The students of today are the leaders of tomorrow and their future in a small way is our future as well.  Some of the individuals included in this process may very well have a bigger role than others, but every voice should be heard.  Students, teachers, the community, local school boards, and politicians each should have a say in how we 'raise a child'.
      Students today are more concerned with their education than that of yesteryear.  The amount of pressure placed on them to do well on standardized tests and enroll in the most prestigious universities is a reality faced on a daily basis.  Morally, our youth is faced with an abundance of distractions that could quickly derail any true progress they attempt to make.  The few that realize the importance of an education are quick to stand up and voice their opinion.  Is their voice heard however?  The answer is no, and in many ways adults could learn a lot by listening to these children.  
     Teachers and administrators play the most crucial role in educating our future societal members.  Their voices raise loud and proud when facing tough choices in educational reform.  The main concern held by these individuals is that the 'higher ups' in the actual policy making forums don't hear their opinions most of the time.  The power to make choices in teaching students rests solely in this groups hands.  No matter what law is passed, what happens after children walk through the front doors of the school house, is ultimately up to them.  Their opinions should matter.  Their professional expertise should be headed and all to often it is not.
      Politicians run for election based on a platform to get elected.  Promises made during elections typically seem to go to the wayside once a person takes office.  Education reform is a topic that many politicians stay away from during elections, and for good reason.  In the media only the issues that seem controversial make it to the ears of the public.  If you promise the moon, you had better have a good plan to get it.  The reality once again, is that the prize sought costs a great deal of money and it's easier to cut education budgets than it is to tax people even more.  That sure will not get you elected!  Once in office, the decisions concerning education reform fall to individuals that don't even work with children, and in most cases, set unrealistic expectations and goals that is directly tied to the money schools so desperately fight for.  The voices of these individuals should be heard as members of a society where we only want the best for our students.  Unfortunately in today's times it seems like their voice is the only one being heard.
      In the David school opinions matter.  The students, the teachers, and members of the community have one goal in mind:  student success.  They want to help and encourage children to better themselves in any way possible.  The only way to motivate a child is make them responsible for their own well-being and provide them with the pathway to get there.  Schools could learn a thing or two from this type of design.
     Students, teachers, the community, local school boards, and politicians each should have a say in how we 'raise a child'.  Power is skewed today concerning education.  Holding a carrot in front of educators and telling them when and how to eat it is not going to make students (or the educators) work any harder to succeed.  The responsibility lies on society as a whole to make sure our future is secure.  Listening to the opinions of all concerning education reform is one step that the country could take in an effort to promote success and rise to a level of global marketplace competition that it so desperately seeks.