WHO WILL SPEAK UP FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
Jim Ray
January 13, 2005

            I was asked to write this article for SC-ASCD because I am known for “speaking out” on issues.  My outspokenness is driven by my passion and concern for public education.  As one of seven siblings born in poverty, I am proof of Ernest Boyer’s premise that education, not Ellis Island, is the true gateway to the American dream.  I owe more to the dedicated faculty in my small rural public school than I can ever repay.

            Our public schools are unique because we educate every child that comes to our door.  We make no distinctions based on income level, race, or social class.  We do not weed out the disabled or the child who does not speak English.  We serve children who are neglected, abused, homeless, and psychologically troubled – and we are successful!

            As the very fabric of our society and homes changes, we are bearing a heavy burden of social, legal, and economic problems previously handled by families, churches, and other agencies.  For many children we provide a safe haven from violence, their only food and medical care, moral development, encouragement and love.

            Federal and state assessments show steady, positive improvement trends in South Carolina’s public schools.  We have the highest percentage of students attending high school and post secondary education in our history.  In short, we are doing our best job ever. 

            For years most educators have labored under the belief and expectation that the consummate worth of public education and our successes would always be recognized.  This assumption is no longer true.  Worse, we are now facing an organized, malevolent effort to dismantle our schools.  This systematic attack is coming from voucher, tax credit, and charter school advocates who wish to create elitist private schooling funded by public tax dollars.

            These critics talk a good game about parental choice and free market competition.  Do not be fooled by this veneer.  They want to segregate schools by social class, race, religion, or ideology.  Legislators supporting this agenda are responsible for the current paradox of increasing accountability and declining funding.  The last thing they want is for us to do well.  They bleed schools financially dry with the anticipation of saying we told you public education would fail.  If these critics prevail, we will return to a society where the opportunity for an education is determined by income and social class. 

            What can we do?  First, we can assume responsibility for creating our future.  We must commit to our legitimate critics that we are accountable and that we will correct our flaws and improve.  We must purge the low expectations that have created educational and economic death sentences for many children.  Accountability will not be effective as a mandate of law.  It must come from our good faith and duty to every child. 

            Second, let’s not give the bad faith critics the advantage of ignoring them.  We must shine a light on their agenda and unwarranted attacks on our schools.  We must dramatically escalate our efforts to put our positives before the people.  We must deafen these critics with success stories.

            Third, we must unify.  All public education groups must come together to form a statewide coalition with a single focus – quality schools for all children.  This coalition could include the parents and guardians of 650,000 students, 50,000 teachers, 3,000 administrators and 680 school board members.  The energies of 16,000 school improvement council members plus PTA’s, Booster Clubs, and community leadership organizations could be folded into this effort.  All that is needed to forge these forces into a network with incalculable potential is leadership and commitment.

            Fourth, we must shed the apathy about advocacy that has plagued our ranks and put us in the position of losing viable public schools.  For the last several years, most public education constituents have sat silently while state education budgets were gutted.  Legislative attempts to strip local school boards and communities of their ability to cope with state underfunding have been ignored.  We have accepted, with barely a whimper, an unrelenting cascade of new education legislation and mandates that make it even more difficult for our schools to survive.  Many of our folks rationalize that “as long as it doesn’t affect me” it’s not a problem.  The truth is just the opposite.  We are no stronger than our weakest link.  We rise or fall together.

            To preserve a decent future for our schools, we must drop our passive approach to dealing with elected officials who do not serve the public good.  We must take the gloves off and compete with the public education critics who are trying to shape the legislative agenda.  It is way past time to elect people who will serve children and families.

            It costs nothing to speak up for what is right.  If we permit our elected officials to place political self service and the needs of the wealthy over decent schooling for our children, we have abdicated our moral and civic responsibility to our children and state.

            We have a choice to make.  We either become a significant force for the needs of our children or we watch the dissolution of our schools.  When our children look back on this time, let them see that we fought and spoke out for their future!

 

Jim Ray is a leader in South Carolina's public schools.  This article is presented here with his permission.