LETTER: Schools must be held accountable

The CNN Wire Staff reported this past Thursday that 10 states have been given waivers by the Obama administration from having to meet the No Child Left Behind goals of 2014. Even though NCLB is not a perfect law by any measure, the goals (as well as efforts in obtaining those goals) were not a part of the imperfections of the law. The law brings transparency and accountability to our K-12 education systems - these benefits have been used widely by the parents of students as well as very telling about the efficiency of, especially, teaching professionals.

We should be even more concerned about this statement, "Still, the decision was cheered by leaders from several states - many of them led by Republican governors - who successfully obtained waivers, as well as the country's largest teacher's union." You can bet when a teacher's union applauds the move it means that predominately teaching professionals back ends are being protected while effectiveness and efficiency in the classroom suffers. A teacher's time in the job does not mean, necessarily, a better teacher. It is time to stop moving the lines that are drawn in the sand just because we believe we would not look good if they remained (or that we may not achieve such goals). Our systems need to achieve what is demanded of them. They must be held accountable. They must be transparent. And teaching staff decisions must be based on efficiency and effectiveness in the classroom (as well as taking into account personal and professional conduct).

Will Tinney

Aiken