This week Greg and I were listening to "talk radio". This radio station was interviewing the State School Superintendent. This man is the highest paid school super. in the country. Our state is ranked 49th for reading and math literacy for elementary grades and ranked 50th for reading and math literacy for 8th grade. Now remember, he is paid the most and the state is ranked at the bottom of the ladder. The interview was about accepting "stimulus package money" for Charter Schools. The super. has said that he hasn't seen any reports that charter schools work so he is not interested in them. Could a charter school be any worse than the 49th or 50th ranking...could we get any worse? OK, I guess we could be 50th for both. Then he went on to say that "he would be for anything that worked" (direct quote). Yeah, right, uh huh!
As parents in the United States, we have the right to educate our children however we choose. We can send them to public schools and there are some great teachers in the school system. I think the kids that do the best in the public schools are the average to above average learners. they fit in and go with the flow. We can send them to a private school, many advantages here...smaller classes, not as many politics as public school, and depending on the school-a Christian based education. Charter schools-I don't know alot about this, but from the interview I think this would be under the same policies and rules as the public school, but there must be some advantage to a charter school. Or Homeschool-every advantage here. No one will love, care for your children like you will. Parents have a very vested interest in their own children succeeding and learning.
I truly believe that it is up to each parent to decide what is best for their own children. I am very thankful that we live in a country where we have these choices available. What is best for my family, may not be best for your family. And your choice, may not be best for my family. There are pluses and minuses for each of the diffent schooling opportunities.
Very well written. Seriously, he is the highest paid and the lowest ranked? Was he recently brought in to 'clean up'? I agree he should be open to anything rather than accepting the current situation.
ReplyDeleteYes, highest paid and lowest ranked. Nope, he has been here a while...don't know exactly how long, several years or more.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post Donna! I am happy we have the choice (so far) in this country. While we can afford it we are sending our children to private school that teaches a Classical Christain Education. I also teach there and it is right for our family right now. It is good that we have the right to do this in our country. In Germany is was against the law to home school.
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