SCHOOLS: Reform's time is overdue

Teachers might have the most secure jobs in the nation. Most have tenure, and all have union protection behind them. Any attempt at reform brings forth a howl of protest.

Other countries have been surpassing the U.S. in primary and secondary education for approximately the last 15 years. This isn’t happening because we are getting worse, it’s happening because they are getting better. It is time we had some education reforms, real reforms. Common Core is a good start. Students need higher standards. Teachers need higher standards also. It is time the public quit waiting for teachers to improve and tell them they must. If the public wants teacher reform, they will have to do it over some teacher protests. Why would an outstanding teacher object to higher standards? They wouldn’t, protests are coming from the ranks of those who are afraid they won’t measure up.

The Idaho State Legislature is proposing teacher reforms. Democrats are typically sympathetic to teacher interests. It is time Democrats become more supportive of student interests, of student achievement, of the country’s future. Teacher reform is past due. Democrats need to get on board. If legislation has problems, then work to tweak it, don’t work to throw it out. If legislation is too severe on longer term employed teachers, then work to grandfather it in, don’t work to throw it out.

BRUCE HANSEN

Coeur d’Alene