Who is Responsible for Teaching My Child?

Written By: Jim Swanson, B.A., M. Div., M.R.E.  |  Posted: Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Parents are rightfully alarmed when standardized tests indicate their children are not learning as well as their own generation did. For example, from the Columbia (SC) Star, dated November 27, 2009, "Public officials and education policy experts are expressing dismay at the results of this year's Exit Exam, a test administered to public high school students across South Carolina. According to figures from the State Department of Education, only 76.1% of students passed both the English/Language Art and Math portions of the exam, down from 80.8% last school year." This, in spite of spending over $12, 000 per student, up 15% in the last two years.

What is wrong? Who is to blame? The finger of accusation is first pointed at the federal government. After all, aren't they supposed to guarantee quality education for every child in America? The normal policy for the feds is to throw dollars at a problem and then claim any successes as their genius. President Bush started the "No Child Left Behind" program that is to reward diligent schools and punish the slackers. Of course, the reward and punishment comes in the form of giving or withholding federal funds. The success of a school is based on standardized tests and some schools have risen to the occasion by teaching the tests! Their success not only increases their federal funding, but also, sadly, teaches the students that the end justifies the means.

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