Reply #23: Private Schools for my kids [View All]

[DangerDave921]

There are a number of things wrong with the pubilc schools today.

1. There is a general dumbing-down of America that extends to the schools. My mom is 70 and never went to college. She learned more in public high school (in the '50's) than most people learn today even after four years of college. We actually taught serious subjects back then. Of course, this was also back in the day when popular magazines actually carried short stories and literary essays. No more, my friend. It's Paris and Anna Nicole 24/7. So I would recommened a more advanced curricula. When you expect more of kids, instead of less, they will raise to the challenge. Look at the studies where even college students can't answer basic questions about our Constitution or history. It's hard to prevent misuse by the government when you don't know enough to question it.

2. Stop all this Federal control of local schools. Let the local communities run their schools the way they see fit. Scrap the NCLB act altogether.

3. Forget about requiring certified teachers. Hire people who know their subject matter, and then work with them to refine their teaching. That's what private schools and colleges do. The way it is now, schools hire some young kid straight out of teaching college who may know nothing about the actual subject that he/she gets assigned to.

4. Oversight of the spending of Union money. Washington, D.C. sticks out in my mind because of the flagrant misuse of union dues recently. There has to be proper accounting of dues to prevent such fraud and misuse. Teachers work so hard. We can't allow their money to be wasted.

5. Better pay for teachers. There has to be a way to encourage top-notch talented people to want to become teachers. When teacher pay is low, you automatically eliminate many inteligent people who believe they can earn more money in the private sector or by being a professional. I want qualified people teaching my kids.

I'm fine with public school for my kids up to 5th or 6th grade. Then it's going to be private schools because I just don't have the confidence in the school system right now. We have to scrimp and save a lot to prepare for that expense, but it's worth it for my kids.