Essay supporting Benjamin R. Barber's "America Skips School."

Our children need us

The scary truth behind Benjamin R. Barber's "America Skips School" is shocking. In an attempt to change society, Barber informs us of the hopeless struggle many indignant youths are facing today, and where they will end up tomorrow. He also stresses the responsibility of teachers and how important their roles are, not only for the future of their students but for the future of the nation as well. The stories are real and Americans should quit ignoring the truth and finally make an effort to end the struggle that their predecessors cannot ignore. Our children need us to moderator them by improving education such as raising teachers' salaries, extending the school year to year-around, or more importantly just taking responsibility.

Logically speaking, parents entrust their children's teachers a role they, the parents, were not trained for. Realistically, not only do teachers baby-sit many of their students, they are weighed down with responsibilities no lawyer or engineer will have to endure.

Betonwerksteinskulptur "Lehrer-Student" von Reinha...

English: Students and teachers at Hebel State Scho...

English: Benjamin R. Barber during a Talk in Bonn.

Family and friends and teachers will influence the path a youth takes in life. He provides the fuel (determination) and the directions (knowledge) so the student can reach his destination. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2002-03 Edition, preparing students for the future workforce is the major stimulus generating the changes in education, and teachers provide the tools and environment for their students to develop these skills. These are the kinds of teachers we are looking for, but if we want more highly certified teachers, then there must be a change in the rate of pay because higher salaries lead to more applicants, and more applicants mean more quality teachers.

2During the summer vacation, most students began to either forget what they've learned or how to apply it, that is until school starts up again.