Contrary to expectations, this article is not about presidential candidates or about any high ranking government official. It is about education and the bad job we are doing in preparing our children for life's challenges.

Drop out rates are frightening: High school Hispanics and Blacks have twice as many drop outs as white students, thereby creating a social crisis that affects all of us. Teenage pregnancies are on the rise, as are the ranks of young citizens on welfare. Who should be blamed, schools administrators, teachers, students, or families?

In the movie "Stand and Deliver", Edward James Olmos plays the role of an actual teacher, Jaime Escalante, who 'rescued' his non-performing students from a life of mediocrity and self-blame. The lesson we can draw from his example is that any student can learn what he/she needs to know to be successful. The key word is 'any'. Students can and want to learn, just not the way regular schools expect them to.

With the good intentions embedded in the "No Child Left Behind" Act, came a series of demands that left the schools shaking their heads in dismay. The only criteria that the federal government was interested in was an improvement in grades from year to year in core academic subjects. That led to the creation of state tests, formulated at great expense with taxpayers' contributions, which took valuable instruction time during the school year. If we count the frantic preparation, consisting mainly of endless memorizations and repetitions, to make students ready for the test, at least two months were lost that could have been used to actually teach something useful, like independent thinking. Some states, like Texas, finally understood the message and are now in the process of eliminating the tests.

Yes, all students actually want to learn; but many arrive in high school with zero expectations due to their very low self-esteem. They have been told time and again that they would never amount to anything in life. The process of learning has become for them a self-fulfilling prophecy: 'They told me I am dumb, therefore why should I try?' Others actually fear going to school because they feel that their teachers' expectations are so high that they won't (the students) be able to perform well.

What can we do? While few of us can equal Mr. Escalante's prowess as teachers, there are a few basic tenets that must be observed:

1. Cultivate students' self-esteem at all times from the moment they step into a classroom for the first time. The first 5 years of school, including pre-K, will determine the child's disposition toward learning. If we give up on them, they will give up on themselves.

2. Not every child learns at the same pace and with the same stimuli. Some of us prefer auditive learning, others visual, and still others want to put their hands on the material. Schools must offer the complete variety of teaching and learning styles in order to give everybody a chance to assimilate learning.

3. Learning must be fun. Colors, games, manipulatives, music, exercise, sports, acting out, team work, movies, labs, etc. are all activities that children love if presented properly. It is up to the teacher to create a pleasant, humorous atmosphere in the classroom.

4. Discipline. A nasty word that many parents reject as a synonym for punishment. Schools and families must work together and agree that discipline is an inherent part of working in a group. Use examples from the NFL or any professional sport; bad behavior on or off the field is sanctioned by sports authorities and by coaches. Remember: children actually like discipline. It brings order to their world. But it must be done with fairness and without anger.

5. Bonding. Perhaps the most important aspect for any teacher is the bond they should establish with every child. If you have 30 students, then you should bond 30 times. That is especially true for elementary teachers who stay the whole day with the same group. By showing you care, the student will respond by making an additional effort in the classroom.

Yes, we do have bad teachers who berate, insult, and despise some students. But they are a rarity; most teachers actually love their job and perform well. They need the support of parents and administrators while trying to impart lessons that will make their students successful.

Born in Switzerland many years ago and now living in Brownsville, Tx, where I teach special education in a local high school. I love my job and the challenges involved in making a difference for so many bright kids who struggle to overcome their disabilities.