I will agree with you on a point. Anything that brings focus on improving our public schools is a good thing. If you believe that the threat of vouchers will achieve that, ok, as long as it never becomes a harmful reality.
Our kids are fortunate enough to go to a Blue Ribbon school. There are a ton of parent volunteers. I do my son's PE class, my wife does the party stuff and helps with some of the clerical work. I don't know what other schools do without this involvement, especially in districts where both parents work sometimes multiple jobs. In our school, the teachers spend their own money on supplies, while parents donate other items to keep the school going. Doesn't look to me as if there is enough money, and without this kind of support, I'm sure it's tough to give the kids even a mediocre education.
As an engineer, I see the value of understanding the problem and the current situation. Testing of kids is necessary in order to measure progress. However, the side effects are additional stress on the kids, the staff, and a tendency to teach 'to the test'. I see a ton of pressure put on these kids to achieve, and wonder what the impact will be. It is a real dilemma. |
