It's in the media, it's in the schools, it affects your kids on a daily basis - the education system in the USA sucks.
The Program for International Student Assessment in Paris evaluates schools in 34 countries. The United States ranked average in all areas. The proof is in the pudding.
As a child who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, school choice was a no-brainer. What school was the closest proximity to your house? That's where you went. All the schools were filled with diverse backgrounds, kids came from mixed socioeconomic backgrounds and went on to become doctors, lawyers, company owners, and teachers. Now that I am faced with making education decisions for my kids, I am realizing that I really was lucky. Illinois (DuPage County) has many things going for them - sure the taxes may be high, but they are turning out educated students and the process is not a stressful one.
Fast forward to 2010. My adventure selecting elementary schools starts - NOW.
Let's compare two of my childhood experience to what my child's experience could be:
School in close proximity - On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Under Performing and Failing, this school is labeled "Average". There have been two lock downs due to local shootings within the past 12 months. Not sold.
Teacher Retention - My brother and sister (who are 9/10 years younger then me) shared some of the same teachers I did. The school we are zoned for has one of the highest teacher turnover rates and one of the highest teacher absences. What message does that send?
So what are parents to do? Move? Real Estate market is in the tank. Private school? Well, $12,000 tuition a year for three kids is not going to work for us. So here are our choices......get ready.
1) Magnet School - Entrance by lottery. Applications are split into four categories: 1) Kids in the "zone" 2) Siblings 3) Kids in a failing school zone (Thanks to NCLB) 4) Kids from the county. Out of 250 applications, 100 are picked to test and 40 are selected. Yes - for Kindergarten. This school rocks and everyone wants in. So, the lottery may be the most important day in our child's academic future.
2) Partial Magnet - To apply to this school takes a very organized and detailed parent. You need: Copy of your tax bill, Utility bill, notarized afidavit of proof of residency, letter of recommendation from PRESCHOOL, two SASE's, and the finished application.
3) Inter district Transfer - There are two other schools we can petition to transfer to - but that takes a lot of work and you have to prove reasons other than "the school I am zoned for is average".
So, what to do, what to do. One could suggest we move to a part of the country where there is more money for schools, say Massachusetts. But let's face it - this system represents the bulk of America. Rural and inner city schools have it even worse. Something has to be done.
I don't know the answers, but I do know that there are many qualified, under-paid teachers out there who have the answers. Ask them and take their advice. Let's not leave decisions to individuals who have their finger on the pulse of politics. Leave it to the experts.
A kindergarten application should not mirror that of a college application. Kids should not have to hope that their names get picked in a lottery (Like an NBA Draft). Parents should not feel the need to flee a demographic area to obtain great education. Having kids really opens your eyes to issues you never knew existed!
The journey continues - to be continued.....!
Have you checked into tuition funds in your area? Because our schools suck so badly here, there are countless scholarship funds you can apply for for private schools. That's how Amelia goes to private, otherwise we wouldn't be able to afford it. Good luck, it's a scary process.
ReplyDeleteOh the things I have to say... I will start with... get ready for major changes to the public school system thanks to Arne Duncan & posse. Not all change is good. Not all change is bad.
ReplyDeletePlease let me know, are those "high teacher turn overs" due to teachers who are participating in the program Teach for America? Those lovely's last an average of three years.
I don't know what I'd do if I were in your shoes, Dee. I am moving so my kids have a better education & I am in IL.
Kara - each school has Financial Aid. SC has an education lottery (lottery again!)for college.
ReplyDeleteSherri - Most of the teachers are not a part of that program. Many lose their jobs in anticipation of smaller enrollment. Then a week before school starts they have high enrollment and don't add back that class - so you have classes of 28 kids and one teacher when it should be 18-20 per class. The pay is HORRID. Even subs only make $50 per day with a degree. The district staff is not that easy to work for and many teacher friends quit because they can't take the politics.
Move to Ontario, Canada!
ReplyDeleteOur public schools are pretty great (overall), and we certainly don't need to apply to get into a decent school. Class sizes are decent, with a soft cap of 20 from JK-3, and (most) teachers are great and really do put the students needs first.
DeAnna, I'm sorry that you have to go through all of that. It really should be easier to get into great public schools...period. If my boys went to the schools that we're zoned for, per our address, we'd be in the same situation: average schools and an average-at-best education. Thank goodness, they can come with me to my school, which is among the tip top in Gwinnett County...which is the top in the state and one of the top in the nation (our system just won a national award for it, actually). I wish more people had that opportunity to get their kids into a top notch school, or more schools and school systems were stepping it up to give public education a better name!
ReplyDeleteUgh! I wish my kids could be in the NY schools I grew up with. And someday, we'll move again and get ourselves back up there. But, for now, we move so often that we do consider school districts before buying houses. For both ourselves (even though we may not have had kids then) and also for resale. We do too much home choosing based on resale potential. So, we're in a decent district for our state's standards.
ReplyDeleteI know around here they do a ton of redistricting. Some kids have been known to attend 4-5 different elementary schools over the course of their elem. education yet they never moved to a different house. Great.
I'm up for a move to Ontario!