mastery test scores released...

In my state of CT the mastery tests scores for this past school year have been released and the scores for my home town as well. Hamden CT scores are flat and have gone slightly backward from the previous year. I read the comments of some parents wondering how many $$$$$ per student is spent and what are the exact risk factors of students that there should be sub categories to better understand what is going on in educating of children. The public education system in this country is deplorable for the most part and I place the primary blame on the parental apathy. The apathy and greed of many teachers and unions is the second group creating this sad national problem. Personal responsibility has mostly melted away and parents put their children on a bus, show up at Christmas concert or should I say a holiday show, and maybe attend a parent-teacher conference and give themselves and A for their involvement.

Schools are only a part of the problem; education starts and ends in the home, parents have the primary responsibility to teach their children. The $$$$$ spent per student is so much more since the 1970's and the education of children has only lowered. People look for risk factors and cost per student pay attention to your children and be involved. Throwing money at the lack of education problem is not the answer involvement of the family is the key and weeding out teachers who don't do or care about their calling. Unions have turned this primary part of the success of individuals into a battle for benefits.

This not an easy problem to solve but like most problems in life whether it be an individual or societal one personal responsibility and acceptance is the key; without the real involvement and caring from the parents and teachers the education of our youth will continue to be dummied down no matter how much money we throw at it and our children will grow up with no mastery of their lives.