While many are quick to critique aspects of education, few voices have resonated as powerfully as that of Lisa Roberson, a retired teacher whose open letter went viral years ago. Originally published in The Augusta Chronicle in 2017, her words continue to spark debate over whether parents or teachers are responsible for the challenges facing the education system.
It’s worth noting that Roberson’s letter was written before the pandemic, a time that saw sweeping changes in education that further divided public opinion. Even now, discussions about the state of schools and how to improve them remain as heated as ever.
A Bold Perspective
For Roberson, the issue doesn’t lie with teachers—as some have argued in recent years—but rather with parents.
“As a retired teacher, I am sick of people who know nothing about public schools or have not been in a classroom recently deciding how to fix our education system,” she wrote.
“The teachers are not the problem! Parents are the problem! They are not teaching their children manners, respect, or even general knowledge of how to get along with others.
“The children come to school in shoes that cost more than the teacher’s entire outfit but have no pencil or paper. Who provides them? The teachers often provide them out of their own pockets.”
Roberson went on to highlight what she sees as a lack of parental involvement, particularly in schools that are labeled as “failing.”
“When you look at these schools, look at the parents and students,” she wrote. “Do parents attend parent-teacher nights? And also they communicate with teachers? Furthermore, do they ensure their children have the necessary supplies and complete their homework?
“Do they have working phone numbers? Do students take notes in class? Do they pay attention, or are they the ones disrupting lessons?
“When you examine these factors, you’ll see that it’s not the schools failing—it’s the parents. Teachers cannot do their jobs and the parents’ job. Until parents step up, nothing is going to improve.”
A Controversial Debate
Roberson’s letter quickly ignited discussion, with some strongly agreeing and others arguing that the issue is more complex. While her words raise valid concerns, the question remains: Are parents truly to blame, or does the responsibility fall on teachers and the education system as a whole?
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.
