You Want Excellence in Education? Follow Your Teachers' Directions and Back Them in Their Efforts

American schools are constantly compared to an international standard, yet continue to fall short. Why?! We spend lots of money; we standardize testing, we grade, level, and offer a variety of courses. What is wrong? ------------------------- I have an idea. The respect afforded teachers in America is low compared to the countries where students are excelling. I spent some time in Japan where my daughter was teaching. The respect afforded her was drastically higher in every respect. If she suggested the parents do such and such, she could consider it done. If she provided feedback about a student, it was considered the truth. She answered to her bosses, not to the parents. The parents answered to the teachers. ------------------------- Who answers to whom in America? Hierarchy is detestable, but when all is said and done, we do have to acknowledge that people have expertise from which we can benefit and excel if experts are allowed to take the lead. It is great that Americans are raised to question and think for themselves, but it is spilling over to doubting the authorities in their field. ------------------------- Questioning, doubting, and not trusting specialists is making America insecure and continues to grow out of control. It is bad enough for individuals who are out of control in their own lives to try exerting control over others. It is multiplied when a family or government is out of control; it tries to exert control over an institution (school, police department, etc.) instead of dealing with what is within its realm. This misplaced effort to gain control stands in the way of making necessary improvements. I suggest the tables be turned. Let the school do what they do best and families return to managing their home life.