Florida's Gov. Crist won't penalize teachers

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist jeopardized his political future by striking down a bill that would have based teacher pay and job security on student performance. The Republican politician went against his own party in issuing the veto. In my opinion, it was the right thing to do.

Teachers get a bad rap. Are there some rotten apples at the head of America's classrooms? Sure. I had a math teacher in high school who simply couldn't teach. It was universally known that a disproportionate number of his students failed. However, teachers like that are the exception. Most teachers go into the profession because they sincerely want students to learn. They certainly aren't in it for the pay.

The real problem concerning low-achieving students is the decline of parenting in this country over the last 30 years. Parents have neglected their roles in supporting educators. How many parents are even around to help kids with their homework? Many moms and dads are either too busy or simply absent.

In addition, it appears to me that parents today can't even provide direction in how their kids should behave in a restaurant or department store for an hour, let alone in a classroom for an entire day. I see more and more children roaming the streets with nothing to do. I see 17-year-olds lounging around the house or loitering at the shopping center all summer instead of seeking a part-time job. Many don't even seem to have the motivation to pursue worthwhile hobbies.

Parents are relying more on daycare centers and public schools to instill values. That's not the primary job of educators. It's the job of parents to set boundaries and promote good work ethics.

I find it interesting that Michelle Obama prohibits her two daughters from watching television during the school week. She apparently also monitors Internet use and sees to it that her kids are doing their homework. I am sure she also has a lot of help around the White House. But the basic lesson is a good one. Parents need to filter out what our declining culture is feeding kids these days. Parents must get more involved, start backing up teachers and demand higher standards of themselves and their kids. Watching television three hours a night isn't going to produce smarter young people.

The solution to improving education in America is not to punish teachers for problems created by poor parenting. The fix is for parents to take more responsibility in raising their children.

The public school system is failing in many parts of the country, but not necessarily because of a wave of bad educators. It's the lowering of culturally standards and parental expectations that has caused a collapse in the schools. Teachers simply don't get the respect they once did. It lessens their effectiveness to have students, in essence, running the asylums. But it's the parents, and some administrators who don't want to rock the boat, who permit that.

Because of poor parenting and a dumbing down of our culture, teachers have a tougher job than ever. I am glad Crist recognized that, even if killing the bill wasn't the popular thing to do.

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