Returned:What should Waldorf schools tell prospective parents? - Page 8

[bluetrain]

Pixiewytch, you see, I think that's terrible.
And first NO , in Uk the schools are private, though some are means tested, at ours you paid a percentage of your income, but obviously, you needed time to make th income!
There is controersy at the moment, because one school has just gained academy status, which means the steiner waldorf fellowship will pay something like one million pound donation, amd the government, state will fund the rest of the io million,. So it is basically the first state funded steiner school in uk.
But in Swede, i think norway and Germany, theyb are state funded,yes.

[pippilongstocking]

Originally Posted by bluetrain

I can't make you out pippilongstocking, because you seem to be playing a game your self here.
Opposition, tactics, it's not a WAR is it? Because it certainly seems that's what you think.

We are taliking about the things the schools should tell prospective parents, yes?
You agree they don't say enough?
You've never actually read Steiner, but were "informed" before you went to the schools.
But the main thing is, aprt from thinking you should have known more, but I''m not sure what more you mean, you're happy.
Your kids are happy
And that's the main thing.

My views are different, for different reasons, maybe because I read quite alot of Steiner, questioned the school about why they were using one man's clairvoyant visions to make decisions aboutr my kids, and it didn't make me happy.

Hang on a minute you said that the UK thread was fast paced, witty etc. It doesn't have any of the oppostion to counter balance the debate. You all shooed them off the thread. I think its a poor debate over there because you do not have anyone from the pro side. Thus how can it be fast paced and witty?

As for the tactics - you had posted earlier this morning on both the UK & US thread and the UK thread knew about the US but the US didn't know about the UK? I don't see fair play here!:

You don't understand me because I don't come across as the 'sterotypical' Steiner parent!

[pixiewytch]

Originally Posted by pippilongstocking

Excellent post Pixie - Summed up very well.

Nearly all Steiner schools in the UK are privately funded, I know of one which is state funded. I have mixed feelings about this as

1, yes it would be nice to inject more cash into them.
2, children (poor families who cannot afford the fees) could be offered a place.

But - I am not so sure it would then incur the wrath of the governments input which could take the education on a different path. (photocopied worksheets & endless form filling, jumping hoops, tests etc kind of raises my hackles up)

As I say mixed feelings on this.

See, that's what I was thinking too....a bit of a trade off. Either you get pure waldorf private or watered down waldorf paid for by the government. Then again, I'm guessing that even public education in Europe is probably better than what we have here right now.

[pippilongstocking]

Originally Posted by pixiewytch

See, that's what I was thinking too....a bit of a trade off. Either you get pure waldorf private or watered down waldorf paid for by the government. Then again, I'm guessing that even public education in Europe is probably better than what we have here right now.

Are you a US based parent?

[pixiewytch]

Yes Pippi, I live in the U.S and here in Florida anyway, the entire public school curriculum is taught around a standardized test. Then money is awarded to the schools who score the highest. I know teachers who say they can't teach anything all year because they are preparing for this test and fear for their jobs and I have nieces and nephews in the grades having nightmares and panic attacks over it.

I'm not sure how that compares to Europe or the U.K.

[pippilongstocking]

Pixie - I believe that the education system is similar here. But it does change like the wind!

Whats gets my goats is that if I am not happy with the current education system (that I am paying some of my taxes for) I either have to put up and shut up or move.

I want what I consider to be the very best for my children, get the best out of them, bring them up to be decent people and to be able to communicate with anyone on any level. Steiner education is fulfilling that role 100% and at the moment we are very happy but most importantly my children are happy.

I guess we have a very decent school, the teachers are committed to the children, we are committed to the school, the children are committed to learning. I can't say fairer than that!

[pippilongstocking]

Nolimum - sorry I missed your post - don't stop posting because your input is just as valid as anyone elses.(although I do understand if you choose not too!)

Anyway chaps and chapesses, I have to go to bed (time zone) hopefully speak tomorrow - goodnight all - is it still daylight where you lot are? grr!

[lauren]

This thread is being returned, with the posts that violated the UA removed and members Alerted.

Please abide by the User Agreement.