What are you doing wrong?

Today's Sunday paper had a great political comic. If I were really savvy, I'd post it here - but since I'm not, and won't pretend to be, I'll just describe it to you.

The comic shows a teacher at the desk, on it are the following items: test schedule, paperwork, and a box that reads "My own $ 4 supplies."

The desks in front of the teacher, instead of names, have labels: hungry, teen mom, homeless, dadless, tv on 24/7, no discipline, abused, drugs, no books.

The people walking into the classroom, wearing big grins and leading a group of cameramen and television microphones, are being led by a man holding a brief case that reads, "Drive-by Education Experts." The leader of this group is saying, "What are you doing wrong?"

You'd have to have been living under a rock to have missed No Child Left Behind, and all the ensuing nastiness that occurs whenever a new education policy goes into effect. First, teachers are accused of teaching to the test. Then, they're accused of not teaching to the test. They're accused of not teaching the whole child. Blah blah blah blah.

Well, here we are, only a scant 5 weeks into the new school year, and already I can see the same patterns and behaviors among many of the students I come in contact with.

There are too many already who have not turned in any assignments, the ones done in class and the few that have been assigned as homework.

There are already a few who have missed noticeable amounts of school.

There are already frequent fliers in the area of discipline.

There are students who have yet to catch on that there are just certain things you cannot say and do to adults or other students without getting into big trouble.

There are students who are, indeed, homeless. And this is a tragic thing.

There are students who, despite government-funded breakfast and lunch programs, are still going hungry. This is also a tragic thing.

There are students who do not have the proper clothing for the upcoming cold season here in mid-Michigan. This is tragic as well, considering there are many agencies who will give winter gear to a child, free of charge.

There are students who are witness to violence in the home, drug and alchohol abuse, and are victims of those same things and victims of neglect.

There are students who are absolutely, unequivocally in need of special education services for either emotional needs or academic needs, but for whatever reason, the people in charge of them at home refuse to allow the paperwork to go through the proper channels so their child can stand a fighting chance in what is left of our educational system.

There are students whose parents refuse to believe that their child really does need to do some studying, take a few notes here and there, and - oh gosh by golly - complete an assignment, do it neatly, and turn it in on time. Rather, the parent expects the teacher will back down and revise expectations because of football practice, dance recitals, or just the fact that the child was busy that evening or weekend with a social activity.

This is all ok, though. Teachers are only held responsible for some rather ridiculous expectations. Like, leaving no child behind when it comes to the MEAP test, for instance. And, making sure that all students achieve so that state and federal funding can come through. And, somebody else has the bright idea that teachers should be rewarded merit pay based on student achievement.

Sure. Go ahead. Just make sure that on the day the "drive-by educators" tally up the test scores that somebody removes the papers of the kids whose parents don't make them mind, who don't get fed, who were beaten up the evening before, or who are living in shelters.

Goodness knows that teachers can't control everything - but they are certainly expected to.

I'm a believer in "it all begins at home." Kids are not ready to be self-directed at the age of ten, and parents need to start realizing that. Parents need to be actively involved in their children's lives while they're still young. This doesn't mean doing the kid's homework for him, or stepping in to excuse the child from any negative results of inappropriate behavior.

What it means is parents need to continue parenting the child instead of pretending the child is just a miniature adult in need of learning his multiplication tables.

At what point does our state and federal government quit pointing the finger at what is perceived to be inadequate educators and start pointing the finger at inadequate parenting?

Raising a child may take a village, but educating a child takes that village too, as well as a good educator and good parents. So let's quit blaming the schools for "what's wrong with kids these days." Parents need to do their part, too. Raising the child isn't over once the kid is out of diapers.