Responsibility: Schools are not the only ones who need to work

Judge Howard Manning has a point.

As North Carolina educators and leaders continue their push to improve the quality of education provided for state students, they ought to think carefully about a statement Manning made in his speech.

Manning said students have a right to a good, solid education — and if schools aren’t providing that opportunity, they need to be fixed.

And he is right. But he did not go far enough.

There is another group that needs to be cautioned not to forget its responsibility, too. Schools can provide the best teachers, brand new textbooks and tutoring every night, but if parents don’t demand that their children pursue the opportunities — and students refuse to take advantage of the chance to improve — there is little schools can do to ensure their success.

There is still plenty of work to be done to make sure North Carolina students have every chance to get the education they deserve. Every school administrator will admit that he or she could add this program or improve that one to provide a better classroom experience.

But in the end, the partnership between home and school and the buy-in of students to the importance of education are what will make the difference.

Published in Editorials on August 7, 2006 11:28 AM