Our federal and state governments have tried to mandate, stipulate, and dictate how schools should be operating. The government over-reach that we have experienced in all areas of our lives has made its way into our schools over the last 50 years. The more schools are mandated to do, the fewer dollars they are given to make it happen.
For our public education system to survive we must adjust to the demands of the 21st Century. We must begin to think out of the box about how we recruit, compensate, and retain quality teachers. At the same time we must return to the basics concerning discipline and expectations. There has been a significant increase in home schooling and charter schools in recent years. Public schools may be destined to becoming vocational centers with lower standards and expectations.