It is common to hear reports about the problems in our education system and politicians are always quick with an answer. However, should we really be running to the government for every problem? And given that few if any of our politicians have ever taught at the elementary and secondary levels, why would we believe that their answers are the right ones?  That is why we would like to hear from you - the parents and teachers of our children, especially.

Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of educating the public.  They saw it as a critical component for the People to make proper decisions when voting for their representatives. Yet, at the time there was no Department of Education, and most children were home-schooled, albeit largely out of necessity given the remoteness of most children. Does the Department of Education add value? Or does it hinder teaching through added government regulation? Or, as is likely, is it a combination of both?

If we look back to the Founding Principles, it would seem as if the best education system would be one that is almost, if not entirely controlled by local school boards - the more local, the better.  Who cares more about the children than the actual parents? Are we to believe that a national government of 300 million people will care more about a given child than the average parent?  Or even the less than average parent that is still considered 'normal'? And is it appropriate for someone in NYC to decide what is normal for a child living in the Arizona desert?  

Does the guidance provided by the Founding Fathers still apply today? If so, it would seem as if the federal government should largely remove itself from setting education policy. However, I do not think that this necessarily means that there is no federal role; rather the role to be played by the federal government should be more of a facilitator and champion of good ideas. For example, it could document what appears to work and what might not and encourage states to review this information and share information with each other. But that seems to be a very different path than what we are on - with the federal government dictating much of what is taught in school.  What are your thoughts? And please let us know if you are a teacher or a parent, but all thoughts are welcome.