I was on my son’s middle school site planning team this year, and after a full day of work on setting goals and objectives, I left there with serious concerns. I believe our public education system is undergoing a total paradigm shift that will have dire consequences to our children and our nation.

The problem was encapsulated for me in a conversation held during a round table breakout session in which my son’s assistant principal defended a school policy call the ZAP Program (Zeros Aren’t Permitted). The policy doesn’t allow students to miss work, and requires them to score at least a 70% (or C) on all tests and quizzes.

My concern about the policy is that it leaves no room for failure or the natural consequences that accompany it. I believe it teaches students dangerous lessons that will have serious consequences for them in the future.

I learned from experience and failure that opportunities are provided but not guaranteed, and that ultimately it was my responsibility to manage my time, set goals and priorities, and take advantage of opportunities that would enrich my talents and better my life.

Millard district’s mission statement is reflective of the problem. The statement says the mission of our schools “is to guarantee that each student develops the character traits and masters the knowledge and skills necessary for personal excellence and responsible citizenship…”

Can schools guarantee that children will develop character and master knowledge? How is it done? There has always been a certain segment of society that has believed you can guarantee a certain outcome through compulsory means. Whether or not that is true, I believe it is a dangerous way to be teaching American children. John Adams said that, “Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.” How can we instruct our children in the principles of freedom through compulsion?