Having spent many years of my life in a classroom as a student or teacher, I have opinions about what should be done in making the experience a success for students, teachers, parents and communities. 

Several of the places to lay blame for lack of success are the teachers, administrators, parents and the communities. The complex issues we face in our current culture require understanding of all sides when it comes to being a success in our education ventures. The education model used currently seems to play toward the achievers and leave the underachievers behind.

I can understand the frustration of a teacher when there are students in the class with little or no motivation to learn. There is a push back on almost all forms of authority in our society today. As a person grows, they must be taught to be self-disciplined and to be able to give account for their actions.

Using my parents as an example, neither of them graduated from high school. They were committed, however, in assuring their children would graduate and go even further with formal training and education. My brother, sister and I hold post-high school graduation degrees and training we have been able to apply to our professions to be a success. At the time I graduated high school, few students ever attempted to enter college or try to reach a post-high school training venue. My parents understood the vital ingredient for our successful education experiences. They were involved with us in the learning process. Currently, with so many families living with dysfunction, the students are left on their own with little or no family support. The success of the experience in education requires a partnership between parents, administrators, teachers, other para-professionals and the student.

The easy blame to place for lack of success is to decry the curriculum or the way it is presented to the students. Another issue continuing to arise is the lack of discipline or control of the classroom experience. With the increased availability of advances in technology, finding ways of keeping the interest of students should not be as challenging as it is.

Remembering the teen years, we can agree that is when we all believed we knew more than anyone else, and the old fogies around us just wanted to cut into our fun time. Maturing — growing up — has a way of helping to bring reality to light on that issue, however. I believe with what we have available to us, we have the best chance ever to produce some of the smartest, best equipped students in any generation.

From where I stand, rather than blaming and finding fault, we all should join together to assure the students currently enrolled in our schools will receive the opportunity to excel in all areas of the educational experience. It is hard, but not impossible, to have an educational breakthrough as we work together with that goal in mind.

What is your solution to the education crisis? Tell us in comments. 

Follow Ray Newman on Twitter — @RayNewmanSr.