Debates regarding systematic changes for public educational policies/standards, have been a popular occurrence throughout history. If we have not learned by now that there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” method/standard, we have learned nothing. There isn’t even a one size fits most foolproof system. If such information is and has been acknowledged, why has nothing been done about the matter? Why are we only relentlessly pressured to conform to such deranged standards and policies? To quote Albert Einstein, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If there is no international singular method/standardization/ educational policies, why have these nationally, or even within one state? Simply as means of measure to qualify for government funding? The way I see it, investing in today’s students is an investment made for a better future. So why not ask our federal government to continue to fund our public schools, AND also relinquish some authority and give it to public school districts? This would allow them to administer standards that best suit their students academic needs and development, instead of enforcing policies made for the general public by those who are not even present in our diverse societies. This would also allow districts the freedom to determine how to spend their money, giving them the ability to invest more in services, staff, programs, and other areas that will directly benefit students and teachers.
       This could be another statement of comparisons and research between our education system and that of Finland’s, homeschooled students, private and charter schools, whose tests scores are higher than public schooled students. I could go on about the countless studies of shortened school days/weeks and how they have proven to be beneficial for academic progress. But, after careful review one thing is certain, there is no one method, standard, or policy that could ever meet the academic needs for every students’ personal growth. Which is why each public school district should have more liberty in creating their own standards and also offer optional learning methods, perhaps similar to decentralized college systems.

       As a parent of Texas public school elementary students at La Joya ISD, I believe it’s time to make a change! Year after year, I have stood idly by watching my children’s childhood being stripped from them in order to fulfill radical requirements by educators who are also forced to push for more each and every day. We have allowed the public education system to govern our lives to a point that we no longer have a say in what’s best for our own children. Truancy laws are so overly restrictive that parents feel obligated to send their ill and contagious children to school to avoid legal consequences. Who decided that children were only allowed to get sick for x amount of days? All of these policies about required amount of instructional days/hour/minutes, dictating what qualifies as an excused/unexcused absence are condemning. They don’t consider that not everyone qualifies for government medical assistance, nor can everyone afford health insurance to be visiting a doctor every time something is wrong. If schools are allowed to add minutes as necessary to compensate minutes of instructional loss, they should also be allowed to remove minutes as necessary to alleviate mental health conditions, such as anxiety and stress caused by coping with heavy workloads and long strenuous school days/hours. The well being of students and staff should be of prime importance. I’m tired of hearing how 8 hours a day, 5 days a week isn’t enough! After 8 hours of rigorous drilling, highly encouraged additional 2 hours of after school tutoring, (which are being used as additional instruction time to teach new material) AND STILL have hours worth of homework to do when they get home is NOT ok! We’re talking about CHILDREN in the young ages of 4-11! Who NEED 9-12 hours of sleep! Do the math! These children are barely being left with enough time to sleep. That’s being technical. If you count them actually having a life outside of school, (which they do have) collectively these things do cut into the hours they should be sleeping. Sleep deficiency causes an array of health risks. Such as, loss of productivity, weakened immune system, and physical/mental health, just to name a few. These conditions are beginning to develop in students since their elementary ages. Now I know that not every students’ situation is the same. For some, it is better to be spending as much time at school as possible. This can often provide a safe environment and free meals for those in need. But because every child’s needs are different, public schools should offer different options based on students needs/ family values. Their days at school should not be the only life they’re allowed to live. Tell me how all these hours aren’t enough for their academic development, but the few remaining hours at the end of each day are supposed to be enough for homework, projects and family life. Whatever can’t be taught in 8 hours shouldn’t be homework! If it is absolutely necessary for elementary students to come home with work still needing to be completed, then maybe it’s time to consider less hours per instructional day, or shortening their school weeks to 4 days, or both. Maybe, make half day Fridays optional. Maybe, not give out homework, or assign projects on weekends, breaks, or holidays! Maybe, offer optional core subject instruction virtually and have social, physical, and more hands-on activities on campus. Somethings got to give!

       I hereby request that all public education and governing leaders put an end to suboptimal education reform, and farce “solutions.” I believe our leaders have the capability and sufficient intelligence to come up with authentic resolutions that would truly have a positive impact in our education system. The only thing left to do is to take those valiant steps forward.

To Commissioners of education, State legislators and Governors, we’ll be waiting for your next move. Until changes are made, being that unschooling is legal in all 50 states, perhaps that’s a shift we would all have take with our children in order to withdraw them from objectionable public school policies/standards.

Furthermore, my bare minimum request for La Joya ISD is to completely eliminate homework (with the exception of reading) for all elementary school students, no projects during breaks or holidays, and to rearrange the order of instructional start time. It would be wiser for elementary students who need more hours of sleep to begin later than high school students. Having the high schools instructional time beginning first also leaves their instructional day ending first, which gives them an earlier start on after school activities and gets them home earlier as well. Ex: high school 7:35-2:35, middle school 8:05-3:05, elementary 8:30-3:30 ( 7 hour days/180 days meets the required minutes of House Bill 2610.)