Whose Fault is It?

You earned a failing or low grade. Whose fault is it?

The TEA accountability ratings for public schools were recently released, and boy, the blame game started immediately. Parents blame schools because they are not doing enough to prepare their children. Schools blame parents for not providing support for teachers and learning as well as the state for unfunded mandates and ambiguous targets that are unrealistic or changing. The state blames schools for not doing enough targeted intervention, parent/community engagement, or dropout prevention.

So, whose fault is it? The simple answer is everyone is at fault. We are failing students at every level regardless of state ratings.

Parents prioritize happiness instead of education. Too many parents yank their children out of a school because they (the parent  and child) are not happy with some aspect of the school. It could be the dress code, bullying, academics, athletics, cell phones, whatever they do not like. They hop between school districts, home school, and private schools where the same issues of not being happy rise up, so they continue hopping around instead of teaching their children how to handle conflict and challenges in a productive healthy manner.

School districts give in to pressures from parents and community members instead of sticking to what is best for students. Mediocre or poor performing administrators and teachers are allowed to keep their jobs because they have strong community ties and because no one wants to rock the boat. Ineffective teaching practices are ignored, and discipline problems are swept under the rug. Excellence is not expected from school personnel or students. Excuses become the norm versus finding root causes and implementing effective strategies.

The state is the state. The powers that be are too far removed to really understand what schools and students need. They issue mandates, pass laws, and provide funding based on the party in control. Often times, it is not about what is best for students. It is about money and the politicians looking good to voters.

Yes, everyone is at fault for student failure, and we need to own it. Parents, take responsibility and prioritize education. Stop pulling your children in and out of schools to make them happy. Teach them how to handle conflict instead of running from it. Stop going on social media to complain. Go to the school to actually talk to someone and help find solutions.

Schools, take accountability and do not be afraid to rock the boat. If you have ineffective administrators and teachers, stop making excuses for them. Just because they have been at the school for years or have community ties, that doesn't mean they are good for kids. Keep your focus on doing what is right for students. That is your main purpose, and if someone or something doesn’t meet that standard, it is time to cut them loose.

As for the state, if you do not like what it is doing, vote for new people or run for office yourself. It’s that simple.

Regardless of which side you are on, it is time to be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem. Stop laying blame on others and start facing the reality of what you need to do differently to make positive lasting change.