I want my local school board to hear my concerns and act in my behalf.

The more laws we petition for at the state level, the more out of control we get. Education is a local issue with local needs. Urban, Suburban, and rural schools all differ in what they offer and how they approach education of our youth. 

State run education has never been a model for success.  We have in the state of UT state mandated curriculum. We have state authored tests. We have state certifications that are administered in all schools. Some schools can afford the teachers, tools, and other needful things to achieve high levels on the certification tests others can not. 

The conformity that is forced is not a good thing for our economy or society.  The common core has crept into our state via the state office of education.  This should be looked at like a cancer.  The beginning curriculum looks wonderful and meaningful but the deeper we look the more history is being re-written. A communistic or social agenda is slowly working its way deeper into our children’s lives.

As a teacher I would like to write my own tests, just like my teachers did.  I can formulate a rigorous program that makes sense for the situation of my school and students. I do answer to the parents of my students and the school board. I do take responsibility for the education of my students.

If an engineer after four years of school can put his stamp on a plan and society accepts that as a project worthy to build, why then does a teacher not sit down with a student and parent and plan an education that will work for that individual or at least take charge of the class and run it in an acceptable manner according to the particular local community?  We may market to a global economy but we should govern as local as possible! 

As a teacher I am embarrassed of the profession that hides behind a union or an association and refuses to take responsibility for their own actions.

As a retired Infantry Sergeant I have seen how state mandated anything leads to failure.

Sutherland Institute please push for less government – not more – even in education.  

Thank You