Public Education
WHERE ARE THE PARENTS? A CALL TO RE ENGAGE IN OUR SCHOOLS
I have been deeply concerned about the direction public schools in this state are taking for some time now. Issues with teacher indoctrination, sanctuary state policies that are encouraging unsafe conditions, students' lack of critical thinking, and overuse of AI, as well as the immense power that the teacher's unions have over the curriculum and policies of our schools, among others. Here are just a few items on the long list of insanity: ​​
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Several large school districts in town sent out scads of information on teaching students and adults alike to recognize, alert, and even dox ICE agents who are anywhere near schools. I personally witnessed several walkouts at my school, where students (both citizens and non-citizens) participated in protests and parades around the neighborhood to oppose ICE. This isn't a local phenomenon; we have seen it across the country. Educators seem more worried about ICE raids than teaching their students.
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​Daily, I work with many teachers who are concerned that students are skirting inquiry, problem-solving, and critical thinking in favor of AI writing their essays, passing off someone else's ideas as their own, and lacking the ability (or need) to commit any learning to memory. ​
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This last month, I watched the controversial House Bill 26-018 move through committee and on to the governor's desk. The Bill directs family court judges to consider a parent's acceptance of their child's gender identity and the right to make changes to their school records with the help of school counselors. These are the types of measures that could remove kids from parents’ custody for behaviors such as “misgendering” and “deadnaming” a transgender-identifying child. Who do these people think that they are?​
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A sophomore in high school approached me, asking my opinion on whether or not I thought that his teacher was going to know that he had used ChatGPT to write his essay. He read me a line of the essay that revealed the biased topic that his teacher had expected him to write about. I was initially alarmed that the essay was far beyond his vocabulary and analysis (plagiarism was incredibly apparent). However, I became MORE concerned that his left-leaning teacher had discussed the Holocaust of Jews in Germany in one class period, and asked students to compare that genocide to the ICE raids that were occurring in Minneapolis, rounding up illegal immigrants in the state! How are these teachers still teaching?!?!?!?
​All of these issues stem from the influence and power that the state legislature, teachers' unions, and the Department of Education have over the system, but that should not deter families from holding their local schools accountable to teach children the fundamentals. I also understand that not everyone can opt out of the public school system by sending their children to a private or Christian school or homeschooling them to escape the crazy that is public education; However, parents can still wield considerable sway over what is being taught in their children's schools.
Public education works best when families and schools work together. Here on Colorado’s eastern plains, we pride ourselves on strong communities and looking out for one another. But one place where that community spirit is noticeably missing is in school accountability meetings. At a recent meeting for Bennett's primary level, only a handful of parents showed up. The same has been true in the high school where I teach. Very few parents seem interested in being advocates for education as it pertains to the day-to-day workings of the school where our children spend most of their day. What they are being taught should concern all parents.
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These meetings are not just formalities. They are where real decisions happen. School accountability committees were created to give the public a voice in how schools operate. Parents and staff work together to keep the focus on the important elements of schools. When parents are not present, decisions still get made. They just happen with less community input and fewer perspectives from the families schools serve. Part of the problem may be confusion about what these meetings actually do. Perhaps folks think this group has the same mission as the District School Board, but the two serve different purposes and are both important.
Board of Education meetings operate at the district level. The board sets policy, approves budgets, hires leadership, and makes long-term decisions that affect every school. If accountability meetings are about how a school runs, board meetings are about the direction of the entire district.
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School accountability committee meetings focus on what is happening inside individual schools. These committees review academic performance, improvement plans, testing data, and overall school climate. They are designed to give parents a direct seat at the table when discussing how a school is functioning day to day. This is where families can ask practical questions about instruction, materials, student support, and school goals. Parents see firsthand how policies affect homework, transportation, discipline, and student life. Their experiences matter.
When parents participate, they help schools stay connected to real family needs. Asking questions, requesting clarity, and expecting transparency is not confrontational. It is part of keeping public institutions healthy and responsive. Just as important, when students see adults show up for their schools, it tells them education matters.
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Next month - A look at how parents can get involved in the schools. A grassroots movement on the School Accountability Committee. Stay Tuned!
Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14
Getting involved locally:​
There are many different ways that citizens can get involved in the educational process. Schools are asking for participation in many different ways. The schools along the corridor have made school board meetings readily available for the public to watch and participate in. Together, we can contribute time and attention to our young people. Below is a list of opportunities:
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
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-Write your local superintendent
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Bennett * Mrs. Robin Purdy
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Strasburg * Mr. Dan Hoff
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Byers * Mr. Tom Turrell
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Deer Trail * Mr. BJ Buchmann