School Daze

Schools have always been the nurseries of democracy

Yet today they’re roundly criticized for bumbling and bureaucracy

In Los Angeles there’s a conflict over who should have the rule

Of the systemwide disaster that is called the public schools

Should the mayor or the teachers’ union be the system guide

Of the much-maligned and beaten-down L.A. Unified?

Dropout rates are high; test scores are low

The district’s under pressure as to why this should be so

Charter schools spring up, declaring competition Claiming they’re superior at spreading erudition

Apologists may blather on, but it’s parents who will vote

And that’s why politicians are taking careful note.