So, we are still a "Nation at Risk" and have known change was necessary since 1983. Yet, we continue to allow liberals to reject vouchers for public schools and we continue to let downtrodden citizens and communities rot while we pretend to use taxpayer dollars for meaningful education reform. As a teacher in a Title 1 school, I make a great salary. I work less and put in less hours than I did as an underpaid social worker. I get evaluated once a semester by my principal and occasionally get evaluated via "walk throughs". This is my accountability. Think about it. Is that really going to motivate me to be the best I can possibly be? Teaching in the ghetto is tough enough...there has got to be competition...there must be a motivator other than increased salaries. Do we really believe educators will do MORE work and invest more time and energy into their student's success if we simply continue to increase their salaries? Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but I know these kids deserve more. They deserve the same level of education kids whose parents can afford (or will take the time and effort to get their child into) private schools. My class is full of bright students, eager and excited to learn. They are confident. They want to succeed.  Does this mean spend taxpayer dollars to send poor kids to private school? No. I am not a liberal :). However, I know something has to change, otherwise these kids will not reach the full potential they are meant to reach. They are all destined for great things. We need a voucher system. If not a voucher system the Dems need to come up with a better plan to ensure a high level of education for all students in our country (and they have none, despite Hillary's "brilliant" :P "it takes a village ideals).

I also believe part of the problem with public education in our country is our lack of community support and the overall condition of most urban communities. Sure, we (schools)provide meals at Christmas and send the poor families to the local shelter, but what long term impact does this pose on the communities at large? What do government handouts really do? People need to take pride in where they live, the schools in the communities, the businesses. Private organizations, churches, and community citizens need to step up and help get THEIR communities back together. Many of these communities, in their heyday, were safe, clean, booming places for people to raise a family. Now, due to many factors of course (such as the caucasian move to the suburbs), these places are dumps. I'm not saying none of these parents are to blame. I see many cases where the parents are just lazy and do not care about their child's education. But then again, I wonder why do they not care? Is it because they have no pride in their community and no motivation to care about their child's education? My brother has often suggested organizing community projects in which volunteers assist in revitalizing the look of inner city neighborhoods. Several years ago (maybe a decade or so?) a Chicago inner city neighborhood completed such a project. It actually had pretty promising results from what I remember. I guess the moderate in me is coming out! I can't help it, liberal ideologies were crammed down my throat for 5 1/2 years during my education as a social worker! I was indoctrinated into liberal ideologies! At least I don't believe we should rob from the rich to give to the poor. At least I have been Hannitized.

More on this later when I get on my soap box again ;)