As we head into the election, perhaps we educators can take heart that a great majority of people do appreciate our work. Here’s one blogger, Steve Berlin, a senior manager at the National Association of State Boards of Education, who marshalls proof that indeed citizens believe US schools do better than politicians say.

Berlin points to this year’s PDK/Gallop poll showing that only 7% of respondents think US schools are failing, and only 4% see their own local schools in that light. 48% give us a grade of A or B — not resounding, but not bad either.

One implication: we educators need to communicate to our elected officials. We need to inform them of the great, hard work we do. And we need to ask the parents and our supporters in our communities to speak up for us too. Otherwise those officials will just keep listening to our detractors.

Note: I’m taking a break from blogging until after the election. No one will be paying attention until then anyway. So go vote!

–Steve Z