Tour schools? No thanks

How outrageous, tour a school to prove that the teaching effort is adequate. The reputation of Coeur d'Alene schools as well as those of the nation, are proven by performance, not "tours!" Tours around "selected" classrooms by a "very folksy" ex-teacher (Mr. Eubanks) does not show the effort to improve, or, demonstrate that an adequate education is being delivered.

Citizens, like myself, have very serious concerns that kids are socially promoted. We are very concerned that virtually all students need remediation to perform at entry level of college. What in the world does a walk around of a school have to do with solving issues? Absolutely absurd! Merely a symbol of the schmooze atmosphere that persists. This, in and of itself, proves the incompetence of the CDL schools.

In 1983, "A Nation at Risk" was written. It "begged" citizens to prompt improvement of our broken public schools. Thirty years later, a follow up report added that there has been "no" improvement. Since, many of us have read literally every piece of information on the melted-down public education system - I have learned virtually all reports are scathing account of our schools.

Today, Coeur d'Alene parents pay huge sums to keep their kids away from the "quality" of CDL public education by sending their kids to Charter schools, private schools, and homeschool efforts. After a career as a military and commercial pilot, I taught in public education. I learned firsthand that apathy and indifference reigns supreme in public schools - especially in Jr. and Sr. High Schools. Recent readings clearly call for the removal of the bottom 10 percent of U.S. public school teachers. They point out that such an action would move American public education up to the standards of Finland and most Asian country's schools -the best in the world. The world's best education systems test their teachers before each year. The "best" teachers are rehired for the new year. No "job for life!" Today American public schools are near bottom of the industrialized nations.

In places like Coeur d'Alene, anecdotal data by a Mr. Eubanks promotes the concept that CDA schools are the best (in their category) in Idaho. Note: Idaho schools are known as one of "the" worst performing public education systems in America. In places like CDL, such anecdotal promotions carry the day - without the need to present "proof!"

Why does this system fail to improve? Teachers' issues such as pay, time off, medical coverage, etc, etc. are pointed at with laser attention. Kids' futures are not. Of recent, districts across America are overstaffing, which subtracts huge sums from the classroom. Since districts 'run their "own show" no adults are on the scene to stop them. Therefore, teachers, school boards, and superintendents are hired only after they assure the leaders of the parade, the NEA, that they will propose no additional accountability. This creates a catastrophe for a community and its kids.

Thank goodness for Common Core. It is the future for public education - because places like Coeur d'Alene, have failed to even "try to improve." The CDL public schools need to let 'er rip on their effort to adequately educate kids. I have met with Mr. Eubanks. At that meeting, I diligently promoted specific improvements to vastly improve CDA schools. He refused to listen, he refused to read it. I left after 15 minutes. He was a complete waste of time.

CDA board meetings offer 5 minutes to discuss improvements. Such would not be the case if they respected citizen input. Citizens clearly do not see that forum as a means to input - they merely remove their kids from our public schools. The slate I have proposed has been in our local paper twice, and sent to each member of the school board. To date, the CDA public school system wants no part of vastly improving their schools. I suggest a second school board meeting - that goes far beyond the mere logistics issues discussed at the present board meetings.

In summary, I received only compliments for my inputs in The Press. Not one negative input - out of about 30.

Ronald Deady has lived in Coeur d'Alene for two years.