Mathews- The Lack of a Public for Public Schools

Mathews claims that in order for schools to reform the public community needs to be involved. Schools are not effective if they do not aid the development of educated citizens. While reading through the article I kept thinking about my own experience watching my school attempt to reform its school calendar. Where I'm from we have a two-week potato harvest break usually three to four weeks after school starts in the fall. Decades ago the break was added to the calendar since the majority of high school students skipped school to pick potatoes by hand and get paid by the barrel. As the number and size of potato farms decreased and mechanical harvesters were introduced less workers were needed. Now, the amount of students that actually work through the potato harvest is probably fewer than 1-2%. So why do we need the break anymore? We start school earlier than everyone else, learn for a few weeks, then fall out of the swing of things just as they get started. Mathews says, "We feel more responsible for what we've participated in choosing than for what has been chosen for us." Its part of the culture I guess, and the community values it in some way, but I think if the public were more involved with the school and some statistics were thrown around to educate them, the school calendar might be changed to the benefit of the students and teachers. If the public is not involved in making decisions they will not feel as responsible for the lessened education for their future citizens. It is easier to leave the calendar alone then get involved.

One other thought: Mathews is right when he says imitating is not learning, but I would like to hear some suggestions on how to get the public more involved with the school, and not just the public that has school age children but also the public that has no children. Any ideas other than community service projects, job shadowing, and guest speakers?