Responsibilities of Citizens Affiliated with Public Schools

While all citizens are responsible for supporting our public schools regardless of whether or not we are directly affiliated with schools through our daily work lives, those who are have additional opportunities for fulfilling their responsibilities. And in some cases, citizens tied to schools also have higher degrees of responsibility. For example, elected officials who make policies for schools bear additional role responsibilities because they are not only citizens, but also guardians of democracy, entrusted to protect its citizens and ways of life. Such a role carries a more robust obligation, their responsibilities permeate multiple spheres of their lives, from work life to public life, whereas other citizens are not expected to actively support schools in the midst of their workdays. Finally, those with greater influence over education practice and policy, because of their positions of power or privilege within schools or their governing bodies, have a significant responsibility to address problems and support public schools.³¹