Now Parents are in the Business of Something

During the heated debate about who controls who controls what goes on in a classroom under the name of education or teaching, into the mix comes another variable.

In today's Tampa Tribune we see this headline: Teen Athlete Transfers Like 'Free Agency'

The article explores the issue of high school athletes using the school system simply as a means to some type of athletic objective. This objective could be in the form of playing rather than sitting on the bench, playing for a winning team and the accolades that this affords or perhaps the objective is to use the high school system as preparation for the future.


Imagine using a public school system for personal gain or preparation for the future.

And then there is this statement: ""Parents view high school athletics as a business," said Garcia …”.

But they can't own up to it: "Under Florida High School Athletic Association rules, parents must sign an affidavit saying a child is not transferring because of athletic recruitment."

And the coaches are held to a high degree of ethical standards: "Coaches are prohibited from recruiting under FHSAA rules, but some Hillsborough coaches say it happens routinely. None admit to doing it, but all said they know others who do."

Wink, wink. Cough, cough.

It appears to me that there is some kind of business going on in the name of education or teaching, whether it is on the athletic field, the classroom, the magnet school or the ATOSS room. This isn't about kids wanting out of the system. This is about kids wanting into the system.

What is becoming clear is that the issue isn’t whether education, teaching or business is or isn’t happening, but the real issue is who is going to control it. In this obviously intense arena of social concern, who is going to control the athletes?

Is control going to come from the Florida High School Athletic Association, the School Board, the district director who makes recommendations for special assignments along with the two administrators above him, the principal, the coach, the teacher, the parent or the student?


Once everyone agrees who is really in control of this decision, who will stand up and take the responsibility for it? Maybe this statement indicates there is some fear in being responsible: "At the same time, however, Olson suggested that perhaps the district should "go back to giving principals more authority" over student transfers." Am I missing something, or don't most principals spend more time at football games than in classrooms? There goes the fishing trips and fine dining for the district director along with the two administrators above him.


Once someone steps up and takes responsibility for these decisions, which one of the following will ultimately be responsible for what the decision is?

The Florida High School Athletic Association, the School Board, the district director who makes recommendations for special assignments along with the two administrators above him, the principal, the coach, the teacher, the parent or the student?