Most people have strong opinions about childcare, education, and the school system as a whole. After all, what could be more important than ensuring that the next generation is given the best chance to learn, grow, and succeed during such a critical stage of their lives? But few people have been as outspoken—or as widely discussed—as one retired teacher whose words went viral a few years back.
Lisa Roberson, a former educator, wrote an open letter that was published in the Augusta Chronicle in 2017. Her statements quickly ignited debate about who is truly at fault for the perceived shortcomings in education today: parents or teachers.
It’s worth noting that Roberson’s letter came before the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that forced sweeping reforms in education and changed the way many Americans viewed the system. Still, her arguments continue to resonate and stir strong reactions.
Roberson’s perspective was blunt: she believed parents—not teachers—were the real problem.
“As a retired teacher, I am sick of people who know nothing about public schools, or haven’t been in a classroom in years, deciding how to ‘fix’ education,” she wrote. “Teachers are not the problem. Parents are the problem. They’re not teaching their children manners, respect, or even basic social skills.”
She pointed out the frustrating contradiction of students arriving to class in expensive shoes, yet without a pencil or paper—supplies teachers often end up paying for themselves.
Roberson also challenged readers to rethink the meaning of “failing schools.”
“When you look at struggling schools, look at the parents and students. Do parents show up for parent nights? Do they communicate regularly with teachers? Do they make sure their children bring supplies, do homework, and are prepared? Do students take notes and pay attention, or are they disrupting class? If you consider these questions, you’ll see the issue isn’t the schools—it’s the parents. Teachers cannot do both their jobs and the parents’ jobs. Nothing will improve until parents step up.”
Her words struck a nerve, sparking passionate responses across the country. Many praised her for saying what others were too afraid to admit, while others argued that she oversimplified a much more complex issue.
Whether you agree with her or not, the letter raises important questions that continue to be relevant today. Are parents truly to blame for declining standards in education? Or should teachers—and the system itself—bear more of the responsibility?
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you side with Roberson’s view, or do you believe the fault lies elsewhere? Share your opinion in the comments below.