Where do you start and how do you eat an elephant?

In this case, the elephant is the quality of our children's education.

I was completely dismayed when I heard and then read about the abysmal report card that the State of Idaho received from the Education Research Center in their report, "Quality Counts 2008 Grading Summary."

The educational indicators capture key learning foundations and outcomes at various states in a person's life, and the performance of the states' public schools. States were awarded overall letter grades based on their ratings across six areas of performance and policy, including chance for success; K-12 achievement; standards, assessments and accountability; transitions and alignment; the teaching profession; and school finance.

Idaho's overall grade was "D+." Of utmost importance to note is that Idaho received a grade of "F" in the area of transitions and alignment, which is the indicator of a state's efforts to connect the K-12 education system with early learning, higher education and the world of work.

The United States as a "whole" received an overall grade of "C."

So, how do you eat an elephant? You take one bite at a time. But how about our own community?

That first bite needs to come from the governing body of our school district, which by Idaho statute, is Boundary County School District Board of Trustees. The next bites need to come from the parents, teachers and citizens.

Let's start with the trustees. If they are going to survive in today's jungle, they need to take up the leadership role of our schools. To charge through the jungle like rhinos leading the way to educational excellence for our students. Anything less leads to mediocrity and failure.

Here are my suggestions:

Take control of the decision making. When provided with facts and figures, do not be afraid to investigate further. Never be afraid of the truth. If you don't know what your duties, powers and responsibilities are, then become familiar with Idaho Statutes, particularly Titles 33 and 67.

Be accountable to the public that elects you. By reducing the public input time from 60 minutes to 20, at a maximum of 3 minutes per person, only six or seven citizens can express their concerns and opinions.

You should be encouraging people to contribute.

Being a volunteer does not relieve one of the responsibilities of commitment, perseverance and tenacity when it comes to providing a meaningful, relevant and excellent education. It's time to stand up, take charge and take a great big bite.

Here are my questions to parents:

Start by asking yourself these questions. Does my involvement in my child's education revolve around asking them "How was school today." or attending sporting events?

Do I care what is in their textbooks? Do I know what they want to do after they graduate? Do I know what educational and vocational opportunities and options are available to them? Should I go to school district board meetings and voice my concerns or at least learn what is going on with my child's education?

How can I be a better parent when it comes to my child's education? Is a "D+" okay for my child's overall educational process or an "F" in the factors that affect their transition from the school system to adulthood acceptable?

Hard questions? Yes. Easy answers? No.

It's not easy being a good parent. In fact, it's probably the hardest job in the world. But it is also the most rewarding. The job of teaching your child is not just up to our schools. It is your responsibility as well.

Don't know what you can do? Ask. Get involved. Truly care about what is going on regarding your child's education.

And last, but not least, is my one thought for teachers:

Know that it is not what you teach but how you teach that can either inspire kids or be absolutely irrelevant in their lives now and forever. How do you want to be remembered?

I, for one, applaud Tom Luna's Idaho State Teacher Advancement and Recognition System. The iSTAR credo is "Because the most important classroom supply is a qualified and innovative teacher."

This system basically supports the teachers' efforts to obtain additional certifications, and rewards the best teachers for what they do best — teach. Teachers, don't be afraid to take your bite of the elephant as well.

Donna Capurso is a Boundary County resident.