Schools are failing students, families — action needed

A one-size-fits-all federal accountability model simply doesn’t work. After decades of schools failing across the country due to corrupt teachers’ unions and school administrators, state governments should be empowered to design their own systems to fit their state’s needs.

As a former Arizona public school teacher, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges plaguing our education system. Amid the ongoing radicalization of the curriculum and the alarming dropout rate in Arizona, it’s evident that these schools are failing to provide the quality education students deserve. This is part of a nationwide problem with the exodus of approximately 1.2 million students from public school districts during the 20222023 school year alone. We cannot wait any longer to address these issues.

The importance of accountability resonates deeply with me, not just as an educator but also as a parent. Today, it’s common to see radical educational approaches in American classrooms replace the teaching of fundamental subjects like reading and math. Scanning through news apps often reveals alarming headlines about explicit, age-inappropriate materials in school libraries, teachers assuming unconventional roles like drag performers after school hours, and educational institutions intentionally encroaching on parental rights. Many of these headlines involve Arizona schools.

If we want to restore excellent education in Arizona’s schools, we must begin with an honest assessment of where public education currently is in the Grand Canyon State.

The negative effect of unscientific school lockdowns has emerged as a significant contributor to the decline in education outcomes for students nationwide. Unsurprisingly, student performance in nearly every core discipline has dropped since our schools closed for a year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data from the National Assessment of Education Progress(NAEP) indicates that fourth graders have received the lowest scores in reading and math since 2003. In 2022, only 32% of Arizona students performed at or above the NAEP Proficient levela five-point drop from 2019. Even worse, Arizona’s dropout rate is among the worst at 33% .

To give its students the education they deserve, the Arizona school system should draft a plan that details its design process, implementation strategies, and continuous improvement mechanisms. Notably, Arizona and other states with failing education systems should support and hold districts and schools accountable , thus creating a reciprocal relationship. The current accountability system in education is heavily reliant on federal regulation and standardized testing. Because this approach applies uniformly across states and districts and does not take into account state-specific needs it has demonstrably failed to produce the desired outcomes. Therefore, moving beyond the obsession with a one-size-fits-all approach is crucial for creating improved outcomes for students.

The good news for students is that Arizona has passed a bill aimed at expanding parental rights and fostering transparency in public schools, joining 26 other states that have introduced 84 similar bills. However, while passing legislation is a necessary first step, it is not enough.

As highlighted in a recent report released by the America First Policy Institute, there have been numerous instances where teachers and school boards have chosen to disregard or circumvent accountability measures , even in the states with enacted legislation. To effectively address this challenge, we need parents and teachers at the forefront of the movement. America First elected school board members, like Anna Van Hoek of Maricopa County, will lead the restoration of accountability by ensuring our schools are staffed with well-trained educators, have abolished K12 tenure, and are equipped with classroom surveillance measures.

When I was an Arizona classroom teacher, I always took pride in my teaching methods. I welcomed the opportunity to share the excitement of learning with parents and actively encouraged visits from them and my principal. The concept of transparency was ingrained in my approach to education, and I fail to comprehend why any teacher would oppose it.

Parents are in charge of their child’s education, and schools are accountable to them. It’s time for all Arizonans to unite and demand decisive action against the influence of radical indoctrination in our education system.

Laurie Todd-Smith is a former public school teacher, was policy adviser to former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, and was appointed by President Trump as director of the Women’s Bureau at the Department of Labor.

 

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