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The problem with public schools today is the public. This nation does not have a true commitment to education. Many individuals do, but the nation as a whole does not. If it did, we would have better schools.

I feel I have a unique perspective on this subject. I am a trained teacher. Although I have never been hired to a permanent position, which I suspect is because of a combination of age (I'm now into my sixth decade) and an advanced degree that makes me overqualified, I work regularly as a substitute for four different local school districts. After over 250 days in the classroom, I do have some strong opinions.

Having a good school system requires three elements:

1. Parents who support the schools and take an active role in their children's education. Too many parents do not seem interested in helping their children or the school. That's the teachers' jobs. These parents seem to view their kids almost as sweaters to be dropped off at the dry cleaner; pick them up on the way home all neatly cleaned and educated. On the contrary, it takes twelve years of hard work by all concerned to educate a child; there are no miracles.

The teacher I originally trained under used to be an administrator. He went back to teaching because it was just too discouraging for him to track down truants, to knock on doors to no effect when someone was obviously home, to see students leave the district and move in with distant relatives just to stay a step ahead of him. If parents don't value education, their kids have no chance.

2. Teachers who are well-qualified and caring. I have yet to meet a teacher who I thought was either unqualified in the material or did not care about the students. (Although I freely confess I have met some cynical teachers.) I will agree there are some unqualified teachers and improvements are urgently needed to the system. But this is one profession that can grow on you and the best teachers view their jobs as a calling. These teachers are real treasures; they must be adequately rewarded, recognized, and encouraged to stay in their jobs as long as possible.

3. An adequate level of funding. This is the support that comes from the community as a whole. The key to the future of this country is the next generation. I agree that simply spending money guarantees nothing. But as I look around my home region, there is a very positive correlation between the level of spending and the quality of the schools. Simply put, the better the schools, the higher the level of funding. This is the Twenty-First Century and technology has given us some wonderful educational tools, from the personal computer to the Internet. But it all takes money. And a good school system means higher property values and an educated workforce, which gives an advantage to local business and industry, which means a healthy local economy. Which means a prosperous community - it all fits together.

No, I don't think public schools have failed us; if anything, we have failed public schools. This nation does have many good public schools. (I know because I work in some of them.) We simply need more. I realize there are some high hurdles in some regions. Families can be disfunctional. Teachers' unions can be very powerful. Money can be difficult to come by, certainly in the present economy. But the success stories we have prove it can be done. All it takes is our commitment.

Learn more about this author, Bob Welbaum.
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