While I agree with a few of the points made in Dr. Bakken’s “Flashpoint” essay of Feb. 6, I must address others, such as the view that Dr. Bakken and some other educators hold that Gov. Daniels wants to “beat on the teachers.” What good would such a goal accomplish? I’m sorry, but it just doesn’t make sense.
The governor has nothing to gain by “legitimizing the culture of disrespect toward teachers.” To the contrary, Gov. Daniels is much more interested in supporting and rewarding excellent teachers. How sad it is for our children that when a corporation is faced with teacher layoffs, the only factor that determines who is taken out of the classroom is seniority. As a parent, I would much rather my daughter and son be in a classroom with a great teacher regardless of how long that teacher has been on the job, be it two, 10 or 25 years.
Dr. Bakken continues in a discussion which, frankly, seems to contradict his own view. Industry no longer relies solely on America’s schools. This is not something in the future that will be a result of school choice initiatives, this is now. Moving forward with a new plan is scary. Maintaining the status quo is even scarier. School choice is a parent’s opportunity to choose a setting for their children that will most effectively meet their needs and prepare them for the workforce.
School choice is about providing options for families. A parent is a child’s first and primary educator. My view has always been that my husband and I are wholly responsible for our children’s education. The school is a tool we, children included, use to accomplish educational goals. We expect the school and the teachers in it to be highly qualified and ready for the task. We want the best tools available.
Our family has been lucky, but luck should not be what determines where a child must attend school. Our public school is a wonderful environment where my daughter thrives and learns. We have some outstanding teachers. We do all we can to support the school and the learning activities that happen there. The setting, however, is not ideal for all children.
A traditional kindergarten classroom is probably not the best choice for our son. Because we take our responsibility as primary educators seriously, we are working with the school and with resources outside to see that he gets what he needs to be successful. Our family is making it work because we have the resources and we have good teachers. What if we did not? What if we had better choices, better tools? What if we and other parents had other, viable choices in education?
Parents need the empowerment of choice. Public schools need the competition. Rather than view choice as a sentence to failure, why not view choice as an opportunity to improve? Remember, when parents have a choice, one of those choices is still the public schools. If the school is working, as it is for our daughter, students will remain. No one wants to see public schools fail, improvement is the goal.
I had a wonderful discussion with a teacher friend of mine recently, one with whom I have worked (that’s right, I was a public school educator before deciding to stay home with my children full time). We talked about the fact that there are parents who are simply apathetic. They don’t seem to care one way or another about the direction their child’s education takes. While some may never be reached, I firmly believe that all parents want what is best for their child. What comes across as apathy is often really intimidation, a feeling of being overwhelmed, or a sense of powerlessness. Parents may feel that what the school or the teacher says must automatically be the best solution to any given problem. A parent knows their child best and his or her instincts should be valued. This need not be seen as disrespect but as important dialogue between parents and those who teach their children. Our kids do not have unions. Their only representation is us, their parents. We need the freedom and support we need to do our job.
No one denies the challenges public schools already face, including those hard to reach students to whom Dr. Bakken refers in his essay. Perhaps there is a better way to meet those challenges. Perhaps school choice will provide the answers for some families. True success begins at home with supportive, involved parents who teach their children to show the respect toward teachers (and all others) that, both Dr. Bakken and I agree, they deserve.
For more information regarding school choice in Indiana, I encourage everyone to visit www.SchoolChoiceIndiana.org.
— Jennifer Abrell
Coal City
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: School choice empowers parents to be less apathetic
- Flashpoint
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
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FLASHPOINT: Indiana lawmakers reinforced school safety mechanisms
Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my children. Every parent has felt that instant, apprehensive rush when their child plays too close to the street or falls down while playing soccer and it is our responsibility as parents to implement every safety mechanism we can muster to protect our kids.
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FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
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FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
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FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
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FLASHPOINT: Fiscal cliff, Obamacare have already raised taxes enough
Our history is rich with stories of people who have immigrated to the United States for a chance at the American Dream. The American Dream, in its truest form, is the opportunity to achieve success by working hard and playing by the rules; to make it on your own and to say, “I earned this.”
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FLASHPOINT: Expanding Medicaid coverage makes sense for Indiana
Since last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act effectively gave states the option to expand Medicaid, policymakers across the country have debated if and how to extend health programs to millions of uninsured Americans.
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FLASHPOINT: Improve public education, stop experimenting with it
In January, the four of us who serve as the Democrats on the House Education Committee outlined our hopes for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly in joining with Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to offer common sense solutions to improve the quality of education for our children. With the halfway point of this session past us, we remain optimistic that positive steps can be taken … but that optimism is tempered by the reality that education policies are being directed by a legislative majority that has a radically different agenda.
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Healthcare law anniversary no reason for celebration
March 23 marked three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, yet this is not an anniversary that deserves celebration.
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FLASHPOINT: Defending state’s authority is attorney general’s obligation
The law of the land recognizes the authority of states to license marriage.
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FLASHPOINT: Stability key for state’s future
Hoosiers have the unique luxury of being the fiscal envy of the nation due to the sound fiscal policies of the last eight years.
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FLASHPOINT: House budget offers Medicaid solution for Indiana
This week, my U.S. House Budget Committee colleagues and I introduced a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2014. Our budget is a responsible plan that stops spending money and balances in 10 years — largely through making key reforms to drivers of our debt like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
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FLASHPOINT: Problem gambling in Indiana: A new understanding of community concern
The week of March 3 was designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
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FLASHPOINT: Eastern time in Indiana defies common sense
Nobody complains more than Hoosiers about changing their clocks. And there’s a valid reason — daylight-savings time in Indiana’s Eastern Time Zone is painful.
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Praying for civil resolution to debate over gun control
Guns are lively ammunition for passionate debate these days.
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FLASHPOINT: It’s not too late to expand health services
This week, state leaders euthanized the biggest, boldest Hoosier jobs proposal of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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FLASHPOINT: You can’t go back again — and that’s OK
Our progressive colleagues have been telling us for years that the 1950s were a horrid time.
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FLASHPOINT: The fierce urgency of now — nation needs to protect youth
The alcohol-fueled alleged serial rape of a 16-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates — not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others — points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety and forward development of youth.
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FLASHPOINT: A pastor speaks out against Sullivan’s ‘traditional prom’
I am a pastor in Sullivan, Ind., and I am outraged.
Recently, two young students applied to walk the Grand March together in the school prom in Sullivan. -
FLASHPOINT: 0wning firearms is a First Amendment exercise, too
Following the hysteria generated by gun prohibitionists in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a nationwide rush on gun stores began as citizens bought semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, handguns and ammunition, in effect “making a political statement” about proposals to ban such firearms.
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FLASHPOINT: Maintaining the priority
Recently a newspaper article has been written about a change in the by-laws of the Indiana High School Athletic Association which speaks directly to attempted undue influence exerted upon students below the level of grade nine and their parents.
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FLASHPOINT: The fairness of marriage
What is the current Indiana law concerning marriage? Our state defines marriage in a singular way — between a man and a woman.
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FLASHPOINT: We ask state legislators to abide by their oath of office
All of us relish giving unsolicited advice to our elected representatives.
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FLASHPOINT: Mentoring is having major impact on public education
While managing local utility services, Mike Martin found a new way to energize his community, and students are starting to benefit.
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FLASHPOINT: Common Core standards should be common sense
Years ago, when state officials and education experts came together to create new model standards for schools, they probably never expected it to be controversial.
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FLASHPOINT: Milestone year for Rose-Hulman
The Rose-Hulman campus traditionally quiets down this time of year, yet for me I sense a renewed energy from the phenomenal year just closing.
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FLASHPOINT: ISU’s reasoning flawed in flight school planning
ISU and the taxpayers of Indiana and Vigo County are being led down a path of deception once again.
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FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States.
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FLASHPOINT: Americans deserve more value for their tax dollars
While traveling the 8th District and listening to fellow Hoosiers during my first term in Congress, I have reached the conclusion that many constituents do not believe they are getting value for the tax dollars that come out of their paychecks and are sent to Washington, D.C.
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
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