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We should have high expectations of our children, but politicians should not tell teachers how to meet them.

Teachers tell me that they'd like to work more closely with parents.

When I ask teachers why they teach, they almost always say that it is because they want to make a difference in the lives of children.

Make no mistake about it: Next to parents and families, our teachers are the most important influence in our children's lives.

I am confident that the vast majority of teachers will work with us towards achieving that goal.

Instead of unfairly demonizing teachers, we should be working with them to find solutions to the problems in our schools and make sure every child gets an outstanding public education.

Misdirected focus on paperwork, on procedures, and on bureaucracy frustrates teachers and fails to give children the education they need.

Teach love, generosity, good manners and some of that will drift from the classroom to the home and who knows, the children will be educating the parents.

I remind everyone: Whether you school them at home or send them to school, you as a parent have the responsibility to make sure they learn and behave. Teachers and principals may help, but parents are the ones who must accept responsibility.

The motives of these parents vary, many parents don't like the curriculum being taught to their kids, or are wary of the threat of peer pressure or the presence of drugs or violence lurking in too many of our schools today.