Dear Kevin and all: I would like to comment on Private schools. My son is presently working on his Phd in a very difficult scientific field, I only mention that to indicate the RESULT of his education through k-12.
OK, my son BEGAN his education in a very highly regarded private school. (3 years of Kindergarden through 4th grade).
Even though this was probably considered the 2nd best private school at least in our area I found, as he got into the higher grades the infrastructure could not compare to public schools. I also found that the public schools in my little area of the World, due to the economic strength of the area and the quality of the Principals were really good. I didnt realize HOW GOOD until I enrolled my son beginning in 5th grade. I found that the WHOLE QUALITY THING is almost ENTIRELY dependent upon the Principal. He or she SETS THE TONE for the school and its teachers. For instance up through grade 8 the school my son went to the Principal ON HIS OWN bought each kid a notebook in which he had to RECORD his homework and the results and carry it with him at all times. The principal patrolled the hallways and at random would pull a kids notebook and see if it was current etc etc. Secondly, he was a BUG about PARENTS going to the school Teacher/Parent days and any other thing Parents ought to attend. If you DIDNT ARRIVE HE CALLED YOU AT HOME to ENCOURAGE you to show up. haha.
At the High school my son went to the Principal walked around with a BULLHORN constantly encouraging the kids, pushing the teachers (he would sit in classes and OBSERVE). This is only a small synopsis of what I observed but the bottom line is this: My son graduated from Public Schools was offered Scholarships at ALL the top universities in America such as YALE, DUKE, HARVARD as well as many others. He went on to College, cost me VERY LITTLE room and board and nothing in tuition, and graduated with Honors. He now has had ALL HIS TUITION WAIVED plus they PAY HIM $24,000 a year JUST TO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY. So, Public schools CAN PERFORM. I say we must DEMAND IT. JDN |
