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That's fine. I didn't see you trash public schools. I pointed out that too many do trash the public option. People who do that are rude and clueless. I'm dealing with two high schools right now with my kids - one is an inner city school with a high drop out rate; the other is a decently performing suburban school. They both have every opportunity that you listed when looking at private schools. They both send kids to excellent universities. The only difference is that in both schools they see kids who don't have the same educational prioritization at home and kids who are going into the workforce and not just college. Why is it so bad to realize not everyone is the same? Never once did my son in the city school get picked on for doing well because it wasn't "cool". I don't know who made up that theory, but it's sad people believe it.
Schools around the country are very different in different regions. I would definitely trash the public option in my district if someone asked. The public schools in my area are terrible. I used to teach in the local public schools. I have no idea about the public schools where you live or any other place.
I'm glad that you have access to high quality public schools. You need to understand that is not the case everywhere. I believe you when you say your public schools are ok. Why don't you believe others with different experiences?
When I taught in public school (an average suburban school) there was definitely a culture where it was uncool to do too well in school. That's what I see in local schools. That doesn't mean kids get picked on for being smart.
Schools around the country are very different in different regions. I would definitely trash the public option in my district if someone asked. The public schools in my area are terrible. I used to teach in the local public schools. I have no idea about the public schools where you live or any other place.
I'm glad that you have access to high quality public schools. You need to understand that is not the case everywhere. I believe you when you say your public schools are ok. Why don't you believe others with different experiences?
When I taught in public school (an average suburban school) there was definitely a culture where it was uncool to do too well in school. That's what I see in local schools. That doesn't mean kids get picked on for being smart.
Sounds like a community problem and not so much a school problem. We had a few systems in the area that were like that thirty years ago. But the more education focused families enroll at the school, the better it becomes.
Also, trashing the place you worked at just sounds wrong. You are essentially trashing your own work.
Sounds like a community problem and not so much a school problem. We had a few systems in the area that were like that thirty years ago. But the more education focused families enroll at the school, the better it becomes.
Also, trashing the place you worked at just sounds wrong. You are essentially trashing your own work.
I left that environment because it's a dysfunctional environment.
It's not a community problem. The schools are poorly run. It's a county wide school district and that is the crux of the problem.
I left that environment because it's a dysfunctional environment.
It's not a community problem. The schools are poorly run. It's a county wide school district and that is the crux of the problem.
Ok. I'm not familiar with county wide. Does that make it more difficult to get involved as a parent or citizen? I'm genuinely asking because I know these exist in many areas. I'm curious if it's another layer of bureaucracy or what the problem is.
Ok. I'm not familiar with county wide. Does that make it more difficult to get involved as a parent or citizen? I'm genuinely asking because I know these exist in many areas. I'm curious if it's another layer of bureaucracy or what the problem is.
The problem is that the needs of different communities within the county are different but there are many county wide policies. Inner city and suburban schools are treated the same. Under a system like that nobody really gets what is best for them.
The problem is that the needs of different communities within the county are different but there are many county wide policies. Inner city and suburban schools are treated the same. Under a system like that nobody really gets what is best for them.
Colorado has one huge county-wide district, Jefferson County, which has 84,000 students. Jeffco is very diverse, supposedly has demographics that "look like America". There are no inner-city schools per se, but there are some low-income areas and some very high income areas. There are schools with a border with Denver and schools up in the mountains (actually foothills, but if I just said that, many wouldn't get what I meant). That doesn't seem to be a problem there. One problem does seem to be that some of the older areas are more likely to oppose tax increases than the younger areas where more people have kids in school.
Just curious, but for parents that are faced with choosing a school for their student (either moving to a new area, picking a public school open enrollment option, charter school, private school, etc.), what do you look for? What attracts you to a school? What turns you off?
Safety
Strong academics (we went with a college prep magnet program) with AP or IB or dual enrollment options
Extracurricular activities with more than just an emphasis on sports
What we didn't look for but were pleased to find ourselves a part of was a very diverse student body from across the city. Different SES, values, religions, ethnic backgrounds, really about the only thing in common was a desire for a great education.
What mattered the least was the physical aspect of the school, we really didn't care that much that the school was a bit run down and shabby looking. Bells and whistles are nice but I'm more impressed by things like how the students score on state testing, ACT/SAT, scholarships awarded, and colleges attended by the graduates
Colorado has one huge county-wide district, Jefferson County, which has 84,000 students. Jeffco is very diverse, supposedly has demographics that "look like America". There are no inner-city schools per se, but there are some low-income areas and some very high income areas. There are schools with a border with Denver and schools up in the mountains (actually foothills, but if I just said that, many wouldn't get what I meant). That doesn't seem to be a problem there. One problem does seem to be that some of the older areas are more likely to oppose tax increases than the younger areas where more people have kids in school.
It's a problem here. We do have inner city schools in my county. It's a very heavily populated county. It ranks in the top 20 counties in the U.S. It's just too large to make sense. The school district is among the 10 largest in the U.S. It has well over 250,000 students. I'm sure countywide districts can work but this one is not working.
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