POLL: Are you pro public school? - Page 2

[jkpmomtoboys]

We are a pro-public school family. My husband and I are both public school products and 3 out of our 4 parents were public school teachers.

In our community you are either pro-private school or pro-public school and I think public school is the only time in my kids' lives when they are going to meet all different kinds of people, interact with kids from different socio-economic backgrounds, differing intellectual abilities, etc... Even then, in our community those variables are pretty limited, but I want them to know all kinds of kids and this is our best shot at it.

That being said, our public school is outstanding. We are in a Sudbury-like school within a school, in the top-rated school in a top-rated district. So we have no complaints...

[Kaitnbugsmom]

My option isn't listed. I'm all in favor of the well run public school, but totally against the poorly run, or politically run, public school...

[LindaCl]

I'm in favor of public school--I went to one, my parents, my grandparents...all had great educations. I think everyone has a right to education in this country.

But I'm not in favor of those public schools that don't deliver great education.

I'm also not in favor of the monopolistic nature of public education. I'm not in favor of how they are misused to shape various social attitudes in a youth forced by current education laws to subject themselves to this kind of conditioning. I'm no longer in favor of compulsory education laws and think they should be replaced with laws which protect children from gross educational neglect but don't control how long children must sit in any kind of school. Schools have become too much like cages.

Linda

[KentuckyDoulaMama]

Hmmm....I had horribke public schooling experiences. I did mostly homeschool my children until I went back to school myself for a nursing degree, which is what I am currently doing.

I really, really like my younger childrens elementary school, but there are reasons as to why its an exception. I'm a Christian and we live in a pretty small town that has a Christian college and seminary in the middle of it. Many people from all over the world, and who often bring their families with them, attend. So, the school is filled with many different cultures which I like.

The school is also pretty "christian" itself, they push themselves as far as they are allowed legally to that bent. So, for me I'm confortable for now having my children there.
The middle and high schools....well, forget it. If I was able, I'd pull my older kids out in a heartbeat.

My plan is to finish my nursing degree, work evening weekend shifts 3 days per week and be home with my kids during the week to homeschool once again.

I just feel that its what is right for us.

[Artisan]

I voted yes. They need lots of improvement. But society absolutely needs public schools -- there's no two ways around it.

[mama_nomad]

I voted no b/c i 've been there and I can't believe I made it out in one piece...and I went to "good" schools. The sheer idea that you can offer nice well-rounded subjects in regular rotating intervals everyday and kids are supposed to succeed and enjoy learning is a mistake (IMO!) I am reading "Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto, Teacher of the Year Award recipient in NYC, and it's brilliant. Yes, it seems that public school fills a need in our society, but it's not education, it's practically daycare and more importantly teaching children how to conform to the economy and and social order (he argues that it's borderline creating a caste system). He talks about the loss of community, and instead networks are in place. It's not hopeless and homeschool is great alternative, but my childen will not be part of the system while the gov't gets it's sh*t together--if they ever do. Seriously, I highly recommend reading Gatto, no matter what side you are on.

[mommy2cias]

I said not sure, but the option of "it depends on the school' wasn't there. I went to a great school for K-8th(taking 3 yrs off from 1/2 of 2nd grade to 1/2 of 5th grade b/c my mom homeschooled me for those years.) and it was a great school. In a town of about 1200 people. It was the only school in town. For high school, we got bussed to the neighboring town 20 min. away.
The bus ride was hellish every day and I did everything to avoid everyone on the bus at all times. At one point at school, a kid sat down at a table across from me and my then boyfriend, and started snorting cocaine. Great. You couldn't use the bathrooms during the day b/c it was full of smoke I don't want to know what kind!) and at one point, they actually took the doors off the stalls. Yes, really. They took the doors off the stalls in the girls bathroom. I held it for 8 stinking hours plus the ride home. Wonderful school(note the immense sarcasm). I would do anything for my son not to go to a school like that. And no, this wasn't in an inner city school or anything. This was just your typical town of about 39,615(as of 2004, I checked the website. LOL)... So, yeah, I guess you could say I'm kind of again public school. My dh and I are planning on putting our son in private Christian school when he starts.

Sorry, this got a lot longer than I thought it would..

[jkpmomtoboys]

Originally Posted by mama_nomad

Yes, it seems that public school fills a need in our society, but it's not education, it's practically daycare and more importantly teaching children how to conform to the economy and and social order (he argues that it's borderline creating a caste system).

You know, I think it's fine to say that about the schools you went to, but not every school is like that and I think you should know that. Perhaps some traditional schools are like you describe, but many teachers and schools are thinking "outside of the box" these days.

My son goes to an alternative Sudbury-like public school and it's not at all like you describe. Very student-driven, Tribes-based, individual, democratic, etc... And this school has been "alternative" for 40 years...

[boongirl]

Originally Posted by lauren

I do believe however, that if everyone chooses an "alternative" form of schooling (private, home, etc), the schools could be left with only disadvantaged children or children whose parents are not invested in quality issues. I appreciate the wide range of other children that my children interact with on a daily basis.

I put myself in the not sure category because our public school system currently has many problems. But, it is interesting, I think, to note that the "disadvantaged" end of the district actually has more interesting programs for kids than the so-called affluent end of the city. Currently, 33% of school-aged children in my city go to private school and these kids reside mostly in the north end. So, even if more affluent and middle class kids went to private school, there would still be great programs for disadvantaged kids. In my city, there are a few millionaires and billionaires who sponsor wonderful programs for disadvantaged kids. Hopefully, this spirit of giving will continue forever. It does give me hope that our public school system will improve.

My main concern with public school, however, is madatory, standardized testing and how it has changed the curriculum. I want my child to study music, art, history and all the other subjects that are not on the tests. I want her to have an education that is based on exploring. Constructivist education, that is my favorite philosophy. So, we wait for the public school situation to improve but think also about homeschooling or waldorf or other private schools.

[Debstmomy]

I voted yes. But what many fail to understand, what makes or breaks a school, or better makes a child successful is parental participation. That is key for, public, private or homeschool.

[boongirl]

Originally Posted by Debstmomy

I voted yes. But what many fail to understand, what makes or breaks a school, or better makes a child successful is parental participation. That is key for, public, private or homeschool.

This is true to a point. But, I used to teach in a school district that had great parent participation. It also, however, had very large classes. 30 kids in grades 1-3 and 35 in grades 4-6. And, the curriculum was rigorously based on the standardized test. These are two things that would have made me send my child to private school, had I lived in that district.

[Flor]

I am a public school teacher because I believe that every kids deserves a "highly qualified," dedicated, ethusiastic teacher. My ds will be starting at a private Montessori in the fall because I see the knives we take off kids here, I see them come back from the bathroom high, I saw a girl get her faced bashed into a drinking fountain and this is junior high. I have hopes to reform the public school, but they aren't there for my kids yet. My dss goes to public school, since we didn't have the money to start him in Montessori when he was younger. He likes it, but I want more for him (there are only 2 private schools here-- Mont. where you have to start young and Catholic, which only goes to 8th grade anyway).

I really don't think there are kids who PREFER a worksheet. Some don't mind and occasionally like the task, but ANY kid would learn more with a trip to the museum, a guest speaker, and a all those other things a PP described. I do as much as I can, but I have no funds. My VHS player in the class stopped working, maybe I can get a new one next year. Right now, I don't even have pencils for them.

I remember in the private school I went to we would go to the city council meetings in government class, walk to the beach for PE, volunteer in shelters or building a playground, camp for a week in the mountains or desert. . .


I guess my real problem with public education is the one-size-fits-all of my district. There are no alternatives or charters. We came from the Santa Barbara district where their was a dual-immersions Spanish/English school, a traditional "academy" with uniforms, art and tech schools-within-a-school, an "alternative" elementary school, you know. All the choices I think parents should have about where to send their kid. And all free.

[Leatherette]

My ds will be starting at a private Montessori in the fall because I see the knives we take off kids here, I see them come back from the bathroom high, I saw a girl get her faced bashed into a drinking fountain and this is junior high.

Kids don't carry knives or attack each other because they go to public school.

I love the concept of public school. I believe very strongly in it's ability to be an equalizer in a world of inequality. In practice, it is a difficult thing to pull off, as as Americans would rather fund the war than education, well, what can we do? We have to keep trying.

I went to private school until I was in 10th grade, then finished in public. Kids in private school are doing all the same things as kids in public school. They are just more covert about it, because they have something to lose. Kids who have nothing to lose don't care if someone busts them for carrying a knife, and are more likely to get caught. I worked with kids in juvenile detention who had better value systems than a lot of the kids I went to private school with.

My son goes to public school, and I will live in his classroom before I send him to private school. The "christian" school in my neighborhood wouldn't let my friend's niece attend it, because she came from a troubled family (she was a great kid) and was living with her aunt and uncle. I would never support a school that turns people away for not fitting their mold.

And I don't think homeschooling is the best thing for my children. If circumstances changed and I thought one of my kids needed it, I would homeschool, but it would be with much hesitation.

L.

P.S. I was a public school special education teacher before staying home with my kids, and am going back in the fall.

[Yo Becca]

Definitely Pro Public school here. Which is why I (and many other people who are commited to social justice) left my career, got a masters degree in education, and took a job for much less than I deserve .

For myself personally, I attended a private school for Pre-k-1st grade b/c I have a late birthday, but then I went to public school. In the eighth grade I won a full academic scholarship to the very prestigious private school in my town - there are only 5 awarded each year. But when I went to the school, I realized everybody looked the same - and no one looked like me. I decided to turn the scholarship down to go to a public high school (a magnet program). I had an amazing education, and earned a full ride to a top-25 university. It was a very pricey private school, and I realized that even as an adult, the eliteness or a private school and the obliviousness of rich kids was a huge adjustment.

Just ask any teacher: drugs cost lots of money, and the kids who have spare cash to spend on them aren't concentrated in public shools . I have never been afraid of a student (teaching at an Atlanta public high school that drew from a broad spectrum, from mddle class to public housing to a huge immigrant and refugee community) - b/c they are KIDS seeking education and opportunity. I have taught teenagers straight out of the juvenille "justice" system - and they were happy to be given an opportunity to be a regular kid and the opportunity to learn.

The fact is, private schools pay less, have lower standards for teacher credentials and have a smaller applicant pool - public school teachers are more qualified as a group. I certainly know that the system is far from perfect - but most teachers are dedicated to their students and the learning process. And, like pp have said - the best thing any parent can do to ensure their child gets the best education is to be involved with their school, know their teacher, and take charge of their education.

Personally, I seek social and economic justice, and I teach to build resources in my community that will support those goals - intelligent, thoughful, questioning individuals who understand democracy and how to think for themselves.

[`guest`]

I am pro public schools. I volunteer in my son's school, and I can see the time and attention the teacher gives her class. I have also seen all of the children improve significantly since the beginning of the year--I work with them on reading and writing. My son would never do well with homeschooling--(at least not with me) he wants to be social every day, and I am just not a social-every-day-person. I am really proud of the changes and improvements he has made in himself, and he continues to improve. He loves school, and that is the bottom line for me.

OH, and one more thing, I went to school in an inner city environment. If you hang with the wrong people, you may get in trouble, maybe injured or killed. I always knew when to get out, and that's what kept me alive/uninjured. Many people I knew went to prestigious universities, just as many as who died or are in jail.
It's alot about who you hang out with (and by high school, most of the really bad kids had dropped out). There's always going to be the bad element, even in the top prep boarding schools, just in a different guise.

[Liz]

Originally Posted by mamajama

I am definitely pro public schools. Without them there would be an even greater class imbalance than there already is......

I'm with you. And I can't believe that any of us are truly "against" the public school system even if if we don't participate in it (I do).

[**guest**]

Most public schools that I (personally) know of are not good. If I could afford it, I would definitely send my ds to a private school.

Sadly, I can't afford to and it tears me a part that I have to send him to the local public preschool. (he needs special therapies).

[Tinas3muskateers]

Depends on the school district. Which is a shame. I think all schools should be equal but that is a dream that will never see reality. My daughter goes to a public school in another district. We pay for her to go. I wouldnt send her to our school district. No way, its horribly over crowded, there are no music programs or art programs and if the school does have them they are very minumal. They also do not prepare these children for adult life or their journey into college. They lack electives for the students to choose from (they offered 5 where as her school offers over 30).

My son goes to a Charter Montessori school, which is based inside of a Private Montessori school. (my Toddler attends the private part of the school, it can get confusing lol) Our school is a "true" Montessori school (I get asked that a lot lol) Most of the teachers taught there when it was private and have been there for over 15 years, some as long as 20.

My daughter did attend a Catholic school for K-3 and it was an awful experience for her. They did not have the resources she needed to get a good eduation.

[Yo Becca]

Originally Posted by lizc

Most public schools that I (personally) know of are not good. If I could afford it, I would definitely send my ds to a private school.

Sadly, I can't afford to and it tears me a part that I have to send him to the local public preschool. (he needs special therapies).

FYI - this is a bit off topic, but if your child has a demonstrable need, public schools are required by law to provide him the resources he needs (speech, occupational therapy, resource classes, etc.). If you haven't spoken with the counselor/vice principal at his school, you should do so, and if you have and they have declined him services you can demand them anyway. They have to determine need first (usually a system psychologist, social worker, or other experienced tester/evaluator does this in a one-on-one setting, making sure to protect the child's best interests and self-esteem), then you meet with a student support team (teacher, administrator, counselor, psychologist/socail worker) and all agree on what therapies he will receive. You have the right to say no to anything recommended and to demand others. If no one agrees with you, as the parent you have the final say. These services are free and often high-quality (b/c the people who go into those fields are usually excellent at what they do and devoted to their students). Also, while we usually think kids are embarassed about getting "pull out" services where they leave the class to receive a special therapy, younger kids LOVE it - they get special attention, get to leave class, etc. My friend who teaches special ed for K-4th says her kids brag to ther friends about getting pulled out, and the regular ed kids are jealous.
(Private schools are not required to provide special education resources or disability services)

If the public school you are zoned for or your disctrict does not offer the resources your child needs (based on a formal process for determinng need like the one I mentioned above), they are REQUIRED to transfer you to a school that provides those services at no cost to you (and in most cases they have to provide transportation as well).

I'm so sorry you aren't satsfed with the resources your son is getting and hope you can find better options that will work. Hugs, mama.

[Flor]

Originally Posted by Leatherette

Kids don't carry knives or attack each other because they go to public school.

.

I never said that was WHY they were doing it. They are doing that here in my school where I work and therefore my sons will not be attending this school.

I went to a public and private schools myself. I have to say the kids were very different at private school because they were selected to be there. That's not democratic or anything, but at my private school there were not kids with knives, no kids were invovled in gangs, there wasn't a fight in the three years I was there and no girls got jumped in the bathroom. They had the resources to build community. They kids cared about each other and knew each other well. You could find a public school that fits that description sure, but not in my town where my kids live.

The Montessori school where ds will attend has 40 kids in k-8th grade so the likelihood of someone getting their faced bashed in with a pipe (like 2 year ago in my school) feels very low.