Parents, Not Teachers, to Blame for Poor Education

A brief article buried in the front section of yesterday's Dallas Morning News caught my attention. Poll: Parents to blame for school problems , the headline proclaimed. The article focused on a recent survey conducted by Stanford University. Only 35% of those surveyed faulted teachers, as opposed to 68% who believed parents deserve most of the blame. The survey was conducted in late September of this year and involved 1,001 adults nationwide who were surveyed by phone.

I am one who has always believed that the education of a child is primarily a parent's responsibility. As a Christian, I think the Bible makes it clear that is God's desire. Numerous times in the Old Testament, God reminds the Children of Israel of the need for parents to teach their children. (Deuteronomy 6:7 and Proverbs 22:6, as examples) The same theme is carried forth in the New Testament. (Ephesians 6:4 and 1 Timothy 3:4) One of my struggles during my years as a church educator was to convince parents that it was not mine or the church's primary job to provide religious training. We were there to assist them. That was a commitment they made at the time of their child's baptism.

Barb and I live in the City of Farmers Branch. As I write this our town is in the news because our mayor wants to form a seperate school district for our city. Currently most of the two-thirds of the children in our town who attend public school are in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District. Most to the remaining children, about a third, attend one of three large private schools within out city: Parish Episcopal School, Mary Immaculate Catholic School and Greenhill School. A small number of parents home school their children. Our mayor does not feel the CFBISD reflects our community. He also takes issue with the quality of education. If the Stanford study is correct, starting a new school district is not the answer. Getting parents involved is.

The decision on where a child goes for their education remains a parental one. The government, especially local politicians, should not interfere. Parental involvement, particularly when we're talking about religious, ethical and moral issues, is crucial. That is the way God intended it.