The Purpose of Public Schools

A quote I saw at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. summed up the purpose and importance of public schools to me.
KNOWLEDGE WILL FOREVER
GOVERN IGNORANCE:
AND A PEOPLE WHO MEAN
TO BE THEIR OWN GOVERNOURS.
MUST ARM THEMSELVES
WITH THE POWER
WHICH KNOWLEDGE GIVES.
– James Madison
 
Education is the foundation of personal freedom and central to a healthy, vibrant democracy.  Public schools provide equal opportunity for all to seek knowledge.  They empower everyone with the knowledge and skills to succeed.  They create better citizens, which produces a more responsible community.

[I originally posted this on Friday, June 16, 2006 on a previous web site.]
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The Purpose of School Boards

As the only elected officials that represent children, the school board’s fundamental role is keeping the district focused on the learning and achievement of all students. The board accomplishes this by:
  • Setting the strategic direction of the district for staff and the community
  • Listening to every view in the community to inform their deliberations
  • Evaluating and adopting policies consistent with the district vision
  • Equitably allocating district resources based on the district’s vision and goals, and monitoring the district’s fiscal health
  • Operating openly and honestly
  • Performing regular and timely evaluations of the superintendent’s and the district’s effectiveness
  • Representing and protecting the district’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels

[I originally posted this on Friday, June 16, 2006 on a previous web site.]
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