Two Broad-Brushes Do Make A Cauldron Bubble

First, the links for reference in case you need them:

It's hard to fire teachers, even if they are bad - St. Petersburg Times:

PRO on HCPS: I Never Realized How Important The Lack of Tenure Can Be

The comments from Thomas in the latter link has led me to an interesting idea. In 1997 or '98, after I once again had spoke at a school board meeting, I was publicly labeled a "broad-brush attacker" by the then Superintendent. That action fit the template of how systems minimize critics to discount the credibility of the charges. My perceptions were based on years of experience as a parent along with my personal participation in a myriad of groups within the District. While my degree in Sociology and a $1.19 will get me a cup of coffee, having the background framework that those studies provided me may have aided my ability to conceptualize the many different experiences I had in many different settings.

I submit that Thomas' statements represent the other side of the coin in providing a "broad brush defense" of accused teachers. As with myself, Thomas has personal experience that lends support to his perception.

Public education systems and the public are begging for respect for and from each other. As long as either side perceives that there are broad-brushes involved, there will be a white washing of problems that are real to both sides.

It's hard to fire teachers, even if they are bad - St. Petersburg Times:

"It's not just their students who suffer. Bad teachers sully the reputation of hard-working teachers and lower their morale. And the inability of public schools to purge them feeds perceptions that schools are resistant to change and tolerant of mediocrity."

The other side may be:

"It's not just their students who suffer. Bad parents sully the reputation of hard-working parents and lower their ability to advocate. And the inability of parents to purge them feeds perceptions that parents are resistant to change and tolerant of mediocrity."