Schools get the blame, and bear the federal consequences, for all society's ills

[Reader Rabbit]

Great column by The Oregonian's Steve Duin:

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2010/03/schools_get_the_blame_-_and_be.html

The little red schoolhouse is just a terribly convenient place to assess the damage and assign the blame.

When a kid is beaten up at home, no one blames the cops for failing to respond to the domestic violence call that's never made. Only when the child comes to school, and either fails classes or takes out his anger on another student, do we have the drop-out statistic or lousy test score that tells us something is wrong.

If "low-performing" schools agree to replace their principal, fire half their teachers or go the charter route, among other options, they can snare what can only be described as $2 million in blood money.

Maybe that's a fair trade, in a sacrificial-lamb sort of way: Toss a principal and a bunch of teachers to the curb for the bucks you need to deal with the social dysfunction in your community.

[Fumesucker]

1. That's a touch hyperbolic..

I don't blame the schools for global climate change..

Or for the drug war for that matter..

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. But when kids are affected by global climate change or the drug war

the schools have to deal with it.

That's the big idea here. :)

[YvonneCa]

3. I'm glad you don't, but just give it ...

...time. SOMEONE will. :7 :sarcasm:

[YvonneCa]

4. I hope you have posted this in GD? n/t

[Reader Rabbit]

5. No, I haven't.

Do you think it will get any response? Aside from the teacher-bashers, I mean?