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become a plague in America. Lawsuits fill the court schedules, all because someone was offended by something someone said. While it is true that sometimes words can harm, the old saying, Sticks and stones is still as true today as it ever was. Of course it is not absolute, but it certainly slows for one to not be offended so easily. Our pledge to the flag, National Anthem, our faith or non-faith, our heritage (no matter what that heritage is), sexual preference or orientation, and many more parts of the lifestyles of Americans, are now all issues for debate. These issues, most of which are moral and ethical, are controlling the education system in such a way that even parts of History are not being taught any longer. They cannot be addressed because someone may be offended.

Economic meltdown in America, and over the world, is causing some of the most harmful changes the educational system has had to experience. There have been cutbacks in supplies and materials that are needed in the classroom and schools. At the present time, the greatest damage is being done in the cuts being made in the area of staff in the educational system. Fewer teachers, and the ratio of teachers to students, are leading to less learning because it is just too overwhelming for the staff, and the students feel insignificant.

It might be presumptive, but it appears that cuts are being made in areas where much of the actual hands on work is being done in the schools. Usually cuts are not made in the administrative areas. From principals and upward through the administration, there are few, if any, changes made. The cuts are being made in the areas of custodians, cafeteria workers, security workers, and assistants to teachers. Food preparation becomes less than appropriate, cleanliness in the schools gets less attention, student behavior is not controlled, and good teachers are pulling their hair out trying just to maintain control in the classrooms. What does all of this mean? It means that now the staff that is left holding the bag is being evaluated in negative terms because they are not doing a good job. Principals cannot keep their schools operating properly without the staff. Schools are failing in these minute areas, and because of this, the actual education of the students becomes impossible.

It is an absolute must that the professional educators in America take a serious look at what is happening. They must be honest in the evaluation of it all, and stop pointing fingers, but rather join hands with those who walk where the rubber meets the road. It is when a tire has less rubber that a blowout takes place, and people are often hurt. In this case, the first people hurt are our precious students. Their injuries, if not tended to, will injure the nation.

Learn more about this author, Ernest Smartt.
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