I am not a particularly eloquent writer so I know the writing portion of the LSAT may give me some trouble. I decided to complete a practice writing prompt to help give me some real practice and would like thoughts and opinions on how I did. The prompt was "What role should parents play in deciding what gets taught in public schools?"

The education system has always been an institution in our society that is rife with controversy. Finding a balance in a rigorous system is a delicate endeavor. One of the current balancing acts at the forefront of this system is what role parents should have in choosing what their children are taught inside the public school system. As a parent myself, I recognize the need to protect our children from values and beliefs we may not agree with, however, I also recognize the limitation that should be implemented. A parent's role is not to decide the content of the education system but to leave that to the experts in the field, while also monitoring and offering input in appropriate ways.

I would not want someone who is not knowledgeable in the field of education to be making choices that affect our children's education. When a doctor performs surgery, we do not walk into their operating room and demand they do things our way, instead we rely on their education and expertise in their field. I feel like this is transcribable to the role a parent plays in the education of their children. Teacher undergo years of training and learning to be able to teach our children. They also gain real world experience in dealing with children while inside the classroom. What qualifications do most parents have to be able to dictate what curriculum should be taught? Depending on generation and socioeconomic level, ones level of knowledge can vary greatly. This is why people who specialize in education are the decisionmakers for the overall curriculum of students. 

Some parents state that schools may try to indoctrinate our children, but is it indoctrination just because you do not agree with it? I understand a parents need to protect their children from content they may deem inappropriate, whether due to age or just generality, but we are responsible to teach our children how to navigate these types of situations at home so that it can be applied in the real world. Also, what one parent deems inappropriate, another may not. Curriculum is a thought out process. And if a teacher was to overstep in an inappropriate way, there are ways a parent can intervein, such as filing a complaint with the school board. This assures there are checks and balances. Parents are also able to voice their opinions and concerns in school board meetings and even get some content on the ballet to be voted on for addition, or removal, to the curriculum.

If a parent is concerned the education their child is getting inside of a public school is inappropriate, they also have other options available to them, such as changing schools or home schooling their child. Some people have expressed concerns that a drop in enrollment of the public school system could cause irreversible damage to the system and will use this opinion to try and strongarm the system into letting parents have more input. But if a parent wants more input and control they can home school their children. Home schooling children gives the parent more control over the environment their child learns in and the way the content of the education is dispersed to their child. 

Being a parent is hard, and sometimes letting go of control is even harder. We all want what is best for our children and for society in general. When it comes to the education system, parents have to learn to let go of the control, and allow those with the knowledge and expertise to construct our education curriculum. Parents have avenues to offer their input through appropriate channels. And if a parent still feels their child is not getting an appropriate education they have options available to them, such as home schooling.