Posted on: Wednesday, January 14, 2004
VOLCANIC ASH
Hauled before the principals
By David Shapiro
After I suggested last week that public school principals accept more responsibility for the performance of their students, angry e-mails made me feel as if I were a kid again being hauled into the principal's office at Hilo High.
As in the old days, many of the scoldings were in the form of questions, mostly variations of, "What do you have to say for yourself this time, Shapiro?"
Since I was demanding accountability of principals, I thought it only fair that I hold myself accountable and answer the questions, kind of like writing my repentance on the blackboard 50 times. Some common questions:
• How can you criticize our work if you've never been a principal or teacher yourself?
A. Well, educators who have never been newspaper editors or columnists have always felt free to criticize my work.
• Why should principals and teachers risk their financial security by allowing themselves to be held responsible for the success of students?
A. Why should the taxpaying public have any interest whatsoever in providing financial security to school officials if they won't take responsibility for the success of their students?
This is the kapakahi mentality of too many public employees: Financial security is an entitlement and job performance is negotiable. Where can I sign up for a deal like that?
• How can I be responsible for the success of my students when I have no control over their home life and the extent to which they come to school prepared to learn?
A. Hey, you have these kids seven hours a day, 200 days a year for 13 years. Surely that ought to be enough time to teach them to read and do arithmetic up to the modest testing standards that two-thirds of the public schools now fail to meet — even if you don't have any say in how they're tucked in at night.
There are examples all over the country of innovative schools succeeding with students from the most troubled homes. They're quite able to learn if we care enough to be creative in teaching them.
• How can we ever trust politicians again after the way Gov. Ben Cayetano treated teachers in the last strike?
A. Cayetano may have lacked a winning bedside manner, but he was absolutely right that meaningful reform has never and will never come from within an entrenched school system or its unions.
It must come from an outside force such as a demanding public, governor or Legislature — or ideally, from all three working together. If feathers must be ruffled in the process, such are the hazards of life.
It's time we remember that the most important priority is not the personal comfort level of school employees, but the achievement of our students.
• How can public schools meet testing standards when the brightest students are in private schools?
A. This question might be slightly less insulting if so many public school employees didn't have their own children enrolled in private schools.
• Can you explain how the details of these so-called school reforms are going to work?
A. No, but here's an idea: Why don't those of you who know our schools best come out from hiding behind your unions and have the courage to play a cooperative leading role in shaping the changes we all know are needed? Your participation will be welcome, I assure you.
• How can your thinking be so arrogant and small-minded?
A. The academic community is divided between genetics and upbringing. Either way, blame the parents, not the educators.
