It is common to find students, and their parents, complaining about schools today. Students complain about subjects to be studied, textbooks to be read, lessons taught by teachers, assignments to be completed, tests to be taken, etc.. The modern student sets himself up as the judge of schools, which is absurd. Parents often join their students in this unreasonable judgment, not understanding what schools are for.
First, no one has any need of a school. All students may study whatever they wish, however they wish. A student can grow up and live an entirely self-sufficient life. He can direct his own study, develop his own business, do everything as he pleases and live happily ever after.
The problem with this plan is that very few, if any, are actually able to do this. At some point, we find ourselves dependent on others and we must seek what is needed from them. To receive from them, we must accept conditions that they establish.
If we need products or services from others, we must agree to pay the cost they require.
If we need employment from others, we must meet the qualifications they require.
If the qualifications required for employment required diplomas, degrees, certificates or licenses from schools or universities, we must meet the admission qualifications they require and satisfy the requirements they establish for completion of their programs.
The attitude, therefore, that a student sits as judge of a school is only true for a student not dependent on that school. If the student is, in fact, not dependent on a school, it makes little sense for him to be in the school at all.
On the other hand, if the student is in the school because he is dependent on the school, then he is in no position to act as a judge. He does not judge the school; the school judges him.
For quality education to be restored, this reality needs to be acknowledged by students and parents. Schools have the right to set their own standards and, by doing so, offer students benefits unavailable elsewhere. Parents have the choice to enroll a child at a school or not to do so. If/when a child is enrolled at a school, the standards of that school should be pursued without judgment. If the standards of that school are not desired, the child should attend a different school.
Ultimately, the destinations for which education is sought will determine which are the best schools and this will be based on their own experience with graduates of those schools. Schools, therefore, have a responsibility to protect their reputation among these destinations by not allowing students to graduate who do not satisfy the school’s standards. Some students may simply not be capable of meeting a school’s standards and, consequently, cannot be allowed to graduate and represent the school at the destinations. Excellent schools must protect their reputation.
In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we are working to restore real classical Catholic education. We are seeking standards of study and mastery not sought by modern schools, in subjects not offered by modern schools. We are only beginning in this work and look forward to a future of great reputation among our students’ destinations. We must protect this reputation by careful assessment in all courses, at all levels.
Standards cannot be lowered to allow students to advance without mastery. For students who need assistance, private tutoring and other resources will be made available. We will work to help raise students to meet our standards, but will not lower our standards to “pass” students. This will undermine the mission of the Academy.
Parents are to judge whether the Academy is necessary for their children. If they so choose, students are to honor their parents and seek to fulfill the standards of the Academy. What is not fitting is to enroll a student in a school and then criticize that school’s standards. If parents do not support the standards of the Academy, they should choose another school.
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Classical Liberal Arts Academy
