Replies to '11/24 Great School Debate'

I have noticed that those who demand parents leave their kids in public schools for the good of society tend to either be childless or they are able to live in high end neighborhoods with good school districts. It's awfully easy to condemn people for not doing things for the good of society when it doesn't affect you or your family. Also what possible benefit is it to society to leave a child in a public school that is failing him just so society can say he received a public education? Isn't it far better to homeschool your child and give him the skills necessary to get into college, have a successful career etc. ?

I do agree with you here. I live in a high income area with good public schools, so that does influence my perspective. This whole debate board has prompted my husband and I to have some serious conversations about our children and what we want for them. We are still coming down on the side of public schools, but we know we don't have to write anything down in stone.

I disagree with the notion of schools failing kids. The reality is that kids are failing school. There are many factors that play into this, but I think it is important to remember that schools simply are not capable of curing all of society's ill. The majority of people who struggle with dysfunctional lives are poor. So schools in poorer areas have greater struggles.

I sympathize with parents who simply cannot put their kids in schools with gang members, druggies, children who are so disruptive that the teacher can, at best, try for crowd control. I also see that many, not all, of these parents are NOT equipped to homeschool. We MUST make greater efforts to improve the state of public schools so EVERY child can get a chance at a quality education, regardless of their parents' finances, education, emotional stability, intellectual abilities, etc.

I have noticed that those who demand parents leave their kids in public schools for the good of society tend to either be childless or they are able to live in high end neighborhoods with good school districts. It's awfully easy to condemn people for not doing things for the good of society when it doesn't affect you or your family. Also what possible benefit is it to society to leave a child in a public school that is failing him just so society can say he received a public education? Isn't it far better to homeschool your child and give him the skills necessary to get into college, have a successful career etc. ?

I do agree with you here. I live in a high income area with good public schools, so that does influence my perspective. This whole debate board has prompted my husband and I to have some serious conversations about our children and what we want for them. We are still coming down on the side of public schools, but we know we don't have to write anything down in stone.

I disagree with the notion of schools failing kids. The reality is that kids are failing school. There are many factors that play into this, but I think it is important to remember that schools simply are not capable of curing all of society's ill. The majority of people who struggle with dysfunctional lives are poor. So schools in poorer areas have greater struggles.

I sympathize with parents who simply cannot put their kids in schools with gang members, druggies, children who are so disruptive that the teacher can, at best, try for crowd control. I also see that many, not all, of these parents are NOT equipped to homeschool. We MUST make greater efforts to improve the state of public schools so EVERY child can get a chance at a quality education, regardless of their parents' finances, education, emotional stability, intellectual abilities, etc.