More ‘systems’ last thing we need

In the Jan. 15 Viewpoints section, Dean Allen, representing the Washington Roundtable, claimed to be “rethinking education” by fiddling with “management procedures” and “systems” including privatizing schools at taxpayer expense. Allen didn’t rethink education. He ignored it.

Education is a teacher helping students learn and understand a subject more quickly, broadly and deeply than is natural.

But Allen thinks education is equipment, buildings, personnel and the administrators to manage them. His solutions have been tried in one form after another for the past 30 years. And, as he says, student performance declined steadily even as teacher qualifications, expertise and skills increased.

The problem is not teachers or public schools. It’s the application of business administration to education. That’s given us school districts full of administrators with inadequate or no teaching skills. It’s like having the CEO of an insurance company directing a surgeon during an operation. The CEO is smart and successful in business but he doesn’t know jack about surgery. Yet, that’s the kind of administration business has pushed on public school teachers these past 30 years. And Mr. Allen wants more of it.

I say, “No!”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Rethinking education requires examining a question we haven’t discussed in 80 years: What should be the purpose(s) of public education? Is it for socialization? Citizenship? Employment? Self-fulfillment? All of the above? None?

Educators, not business administrators, are prepared to help the public look at such questions, then support teachers in delivering education according to the public’s decisions.

Paul Heckel

Snohomish

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, June 9

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer testifies during a budget hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Al Drago/The New York Times)
Editorial: Ending Job Corps a short-sighted move by White House

If it’s jobs the Trump administration hopes to bring back to the U.S., it will need workers to fill them.

Comment: Trump’s science policy won’t set a ‘gold standard’

It’s more about centralizing control of science to make it easier to deny what it doesn’t agree with.

Comment: Can NASA’s popularity save it from deep budget cuts?

NASA logos are brand fixtures, a sign of public support. That could wane if cuts limit it’s reach into space.

Comment: Sen. Ernst’s sarcasm won’t help her keep her seat

Her blunt response regarding Medicaid cuts won’t play well in Iowa and won’t win back MAGA faithful.

Comment: Using prejudice against prejudice won’t end antisemitism

The Trump administration’s targeting of immigrants, dissent and universities only assures a longer fight.

FILE — A Ukrainian drone pilot in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine on April 24, 2025. Assaults in Russia and Ukraine have shown major military powers that they are unprepared for evolving forms of warfare, and need to adapt. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times)
Comment: How Ukraine’s drone strike upends the rules of warfare

Inexpensive drones reached deep into Russia to destroy aircraft that were used against Ukraine.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, June 8

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A rendering of possible configuration for a new multi-purpose stadium in downtown Everett. (DLR Group)
Editorial: Latest ballpark figures drive hope for new stadium

A lower estimate for the project should help persuade city officials to move ahead with plans.

A rendering of the new vessels to be built for Washington State Ferries. (Washington State Ferries)
Editorial: Local shipyard should get shot to build state ferries

If allowed to build at least two ferries, Nichols Brothers can show the value building here offers.

Solar panels are visible along the rooftop of the Crisp family home on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: ‘Big, beautiful bill’ would take from our climate, too

Along with cuts to the social safety net, the bill robs investments in the clean energy economy.

When will Congress stand up to Trump?

Waste, fraud, and abuse? Look no further than the White House. Donald… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

The Daily Herald relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in