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April 10, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: When it comes to grades K-12, “old fashioned” is in many ways better than what we have today. How we got here occurred very slowly by well-meaning educators but let’s go back a few decades and remember how it used to be.
The two men I look up to the most are my father and the principal of my public grammar school. We respected our teachers and our principal. Parents taught us manners and teachers reinforced the parents.
We got monthly report cards that had to be signed by our parents. There were grades for subjective things like conduct, paying attention, class participation, courtesy, and attitude. Parents could see if their child needed correctional guidance in those areas.
Everyone dressed in casual but clean clothes. Parents made breakfast for their children and a brown bag sandwich if they lived too far to go home for lunch. Schools did not have the expense and burden of providing meals for students.
Our principal led by example with his knowledge, appearance, concern for academics, kindness and interest in providing us with a first-class education. Not all of us went to college. Some went in the military, some never left town, and some became wealthy, but we were exposed to a role model who gave us hope, discipline, fun and the encouragement to learn and do the right things.
The “old-fashioned way” means: no phones in school, no sleeping in class, no disrespect for teachers or other students, no tardiness or excessive absences, public praise for good grades and private encouragement and warnings for those who underperform. No promotion to the next grade until the student passes all academic requirements.
Schools need rules and consequences for those who do not abide. Principals and teachers need public backing. Not every kid deserves a trophy … children need to learn the hard way sometimes. The use of unlawful drugs should be demonized in classes with graphic examples of the destructiveness it causes. Sex education matters do not belong in public schools … parents have that responsibility. Educators should teach the basics of education … not opinionated social issues fostered by politicians. More money is not the answer.
Change back to some of the tried- and-true methods. It can be done! BOB HOPKINS Lexington Editor’s note: A longer version of Mr. Hopkins’ letter can be found on our website.
