An unsigned editorial in the The Ledger of Polk County, Fla., argues that school board members should be required to substitute teach at least three days a month as part of their official duties:
This would give them a real working knowledge of what Polk County teachers are asked to do each day. They would know the caliber of students who share a classroom, they would learn that parent communication is often nonexistent, and they would know the horrors of trying to cram every lesson required into a short day, all the while listening to overhead all-calls telling you what else the administration wants you to do in your spare moments. ...
You have to admit: It would be a helpful perspective to have for the people who make decisions about schools. A requirement like this would probably never fly—it makes too much sense—but I’m curious: Do any board members, or other school officials, do this voluntarily?