Who is educating the educators?

I wrote this some time ago on my Facebook page, and I decided to repost it here. I was struck by the story of the Detroit school board president who can't write a sentence.

It is amazing the lengths to which people will go in protecting or justifying the inadequacies of those they admire. I could not help but think that as I read about Otis Mathis, the president of the Detroit Public Schools Board.

I recognize that one does not have to be the most learned person in a room to be the most successful. I even realize that my reaction is visceral, based solely on the limited information I read in the March 4, 2010, Detroit News. However, as a former newspaper reporter and editor, and a current adult basic education teacher, I cannot help but view Mr. Mathis’s poor writing skills as a travesty unleashed on the children of Detroit.

According to the Detroit News article, Mr. Mathis is currently leading a fight to wrest control of the Detroit Public Schools system from Robert Bobb, the emergency financial manager. Mr. Bobb was appointed because of numerous problems within DPS, which runs one of the lowest achieving, big city school districts in the nation.

Now, Mr. Mathis might be the nicest guy in the world. Reading the Detroit News article, one does get the impression that he is a well-liked and influential member of the board and community, someone many people find effective. Mr. Mathis readily admits his literary limitations, and he does give the impression that he recognizes the issue, which is indeed admirable – just not admirable enough. DPS is already reeling from reports of its lowest scores ever on national standardized tests; an inability to get text books into classes in a timely manner; a general erosion of standards, and a decimation of its student body.

Does it also have to suffer this?

“If you saw Sunday's Free Press that shown Robert Bobb the emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools, move Mark Twain to Boynton which have three times the number seats then students and was one of the reason's he gave for closing school to many empty seats.”

I think, and pray, not.

Interestingly, few people seem bothered that the man who is seeking control of the school system lacks many of the skills demanded of the city’s students. Apparently some people sight Mr. Mathis’ likeableness and professional success as a sign of his importance to city students. Seeing such a successful person as Mr. Mathis, with all of his educational limitations, they say, gives students hope for their own futures.

I beg to differ.

“Your lack of skills is not a hindrance to success if you know the right people, can schmooze and maintain calm among buffoonery,” is not the message Detroit’s educators should be sending to students.

At what point will the people rise up and shout out: “Enough!”

Mr. Mathis might be right in his battle for control of DPS. He might even preface every discussion with students by urging them to steer clear of the educational pitfalls he suffered, pitfalls that led to his posting a 1.8 grade point average in high school (it was once reported as 0.98) and taking 15 years to get his degree from Wayne State University. (He finally got his degree when Wayne State dropped the requirement that all graduates pass an English proficiency test.)

But even if he does, it is not enough. Too many students in this nation are moved from grade to grade without the necessary skills. They are led to believe that professionalism and diligence are unnecessary. And each time Mr. Mathis sends out a poorly edited email, he further erodes what little bit of confidence people may have in the city’s schools system.