Our youth is America’s most valuable asset. We must nurture, protect and educate our youth “ ALL OUR YOUTH “.

Reforming our educational system will be very difficult as we have too many people and institutions with differing views on how to achieve the best results. It starts with:

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: The Federal Government should set the objectives and standards for education in America. It is then the obligation of the rest of us to try to attain that goal. It seems to me that the Federal Government micro manages education and often times they are the problem instead of the solution, sometimes withholding monies the School Systems really need. Remember, when we send our tax money to Washington we only get about 50% back. Education becomes very political at the national level.

THE STATE GOVERNMENTS: The states also want to participate in setting standards and goals. School Superintendent’s and administrators of our institutions of higher learning must abide by both state and federal guidelines, sometimes at great expense.

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT’S: It seems to me the School Superintendents’ position is the most critical as they make decisions that affect students at the local level. They are guided by a board elected by the public, but still must try to meet the goals of the parents, teachers, School Boards, State and Federal Governments.

It appears to me that education is run from the top down and it should be run from the bottom up. It should start with students first.

STUDENTS FIRST: It is so critical that students just starting, learn what the teacher is trying to teach them. If they need help our system should provide what they need. Entering society can be very difficult for some children. Teaching children to learn can be difficult for some teachers. Molding the minds of our youth is extremely hard as they come from such a varied background. Some children get parental help and others are left to educate themselves and that is a hard job when your just 3, 4 or 5 years old.

I see some positive changes beginning to happen, free breakfast is a great start. Children learn better with something on their stomach. Uniforms would be a good equalizer through the first 6 grades. The acceptance on a social level is important at a younger age than most people think.

Let’s spend the money it takes to get the job done, including better pay for teachers.

MUCH, MUCH more on this subject as time goes by.