Mountains and Molehills

One of the most valuable, and perhaps painful lessons a school administrator can learn (often the hard way) is using the shotgun approach to leadership. It works like this: a subordinate makes an unforced error and the administrator uses that as an opportunity to make the entire faculty pay the price. It usually goes something like this: an employee leaves work early, has an interaction with a parent go sideways, or heaven forbid, park in the wrong spot. So, the administrator decides a faculty meeting or blanket email is in order to correct the malfeasance. Anyone see the issue? What ends up happening of course is the entire faulty is either, a.) annoyed that they are being called to task for something they didn't do; or b.) wondering if they did something wrong and worry about their fictional misdeed to the point they have to seek out clarification from the administrator. The right way to handle this is obvious even to the untrained novice. It continues to baffle me that we are inclined to make mountains out of molehills in order to solve issues that should simply be a conversation between a single employee and a single administrator. We don't need to dress down an entire faculty or staff due to the perceived (or imaginary) error of another. It is demoralizing.

Unfortunately some of the decisions that are being made right now in the state legislature are following a similar pattern. I read an editorial from an educator last week who feels that January through April each year is the most stressful time of the school year because the legislature is in session. It is ironic this educators' stress has nothing to do with the work they are doing on behalf of the children they serve. Frankly I sometimes feel the same way. In all honesty, it has been helpful for me to not pay as close of attention as I normally would. Yet, while this is part of the job I do eagerly look forward to the final gavel falling (hopefully by the end of next week) and the words 'Sine Die' being announced. In many ways this year has been extraordinarily painful to watch, and perhaps unprecedented with the number of bills that have been introduced and debated on the floor of the legislature. While being faced with a labor shortage that is certain to get worse, one must wonder how accusing educators of harboring some sort of 'sinister agenda' helps attract or retain talent. I suppose the quick follow up soundbite that 'most teachers are great' is supposed to somehow instill [confidence and support] that will magically smooth things over. 

The latest salvo came last night with the House passage of HF 2577. You may have heard this particular policy proposal described as the school transparency bill. Essentially it requires school districts to post and provide the following information related to instruction for the current school year: course syllabus or written summary of the material that will be taught in the student's class, how the class meets or exceeds the Iowa Core Academic Standards, and a list of all instructional materials that will be used in class by the teacher of record. It goes on to say that if the materials are modified during the school year, the information must be updated by the end of the school week where the modification occurs. Another section of the law requires a comprehensive listing of all books that are available in the school library. In an effort to put a sting to the law, any district found in noncompliance of the requirements 14 days after enactment or a modification of materials shall be assessed a civil penalty against the district between $500 and $5,000. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the law only applies to public and charter schools. Private schools are exempt, which it is worth noting since private school vouchers are being seriously debated and contemplated in the legislature this afternoon. 'Rules for thee but not for me?'

Truth be told, this entire policy proposal is a solution in search of a problem and I would urge the Senate to decline consideration. The fact is, this idea and many like it are surfacing because of a few, largely isolated incidents in schools around the state. Essentially, some constituents are concerned about the selection of some library books in circulation in school libraries, or a  specific concept that is alleged to being taught in classroom. Instead of addressing those concerns through local channels, the apparent solution is to run to the legislature for relief. Whatever happened to local control? Look, it is entirely possible these concerns are legitimate and deserve to have a fair debate. But a legislative fix that impacts the entire system seems like a serious overreach. Mountains and molehills....

Here's the deal. Every school district in the state has detailed policies outlining the 'adoption of' and 'objection to' curricular material. Likewise, every school district has detailed polices on the reconsideration of library books and opt out policies for material. In Hudson, we even have a regulation dealing with teaching controversial issues. If you are interested, please check out our policy series 600. Furthermore, there are countless opportunities for parental involvement in school: PTO organizations, booster clubs, school board service, participation in parent teacher conferences. Discussing concerns directly with the teacher or administrator. Shall I go on? For the legislature to suggest these avenues don't exist seems ingenuine.

My fear is this will become the law of the land along with many other proposals that do nothing to strengthen the public school system in Iowa. In fact, I think they could weaken it. That could lead to us losing good people. I can certainly understand why some young people who are currently in educator preparation programs are doing some serious soul searching right now. I wonder, if I were a younger version of myself in their shoes, what would I do?