California 47th in the nation in education (sales, public schools)

[jaynetarzana]

I am surprised there isn't anyone who is willing to ring in about how they feel things are going at their California public school for their child. Anyone?

[NorCal Dude]

I've made the choice that california schools simply are not capable of turning my daughter into a well rounded citizen. We will be going private when she is of preschool age. The third world values, backwardism, and complete lack of cohesiveness is just too much. Its easy to see who is responsible for the decline in schools. The democrates who have controlled the legislature for decades and the greedy inept unions they support.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by jaynetarzana

I am surprised there isn't anyone who is willing to ring in about how they feel things are going at their California public school for their child. Anyone?

It's hard to make comparisons but the schools in Huntsville, AL (seemed to) have had a lot more extracurricular activities involving science, robotics, mathematics, programming, and technology than some of the schools I've looked at in Southern California. The sad thing is, the AL school activities were led by parents (funded by PTA). It wasn't really a budget or school policy thing. (Realize Huntsville is loaded with engineers and techies so the tech culture is promoted big time.) We had four robotics teams at my oldest daughter's elementary school, two came in 1st and 2nd in Alabama. We had tech clubs, math clubs, and French clubs. I don't see that type of parent participation here (though like I wrote - I'm only comparing one a few schools in Huntsville to a few schools in SoCal).

[NorCal Dude]

Thats because most parents in so cal or all of cal for that matter are too busy scrapping by, commuting and what not and simply can not do or fund these activities. SD, LA, BAY AREA, Look at the cost of living just to get your kids into a decent school district. After a house payment, car note, taxes, most of these people wind up being house poor and have nothing to give. Never mind saving up for a college fund...

[Charles]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dude

Thats because most parents in so cal or all of cal for that matter are too busy scrapping by, commuting and what not and simply can not do or fund these activities. SD, LA, BAY AREA, Look at the cost of living just to get your kids into a decent school district. After a house payment, car note, taxes, most of these people wind up being house poor and have nothing to give. Never mind saving up for a college fund...

Makes a decent amount of sense. In high cost areas you often have two burned out parents, two jobs, two commutes. In lower cost areas you may have one stay at home parent and in smaller towns less of a commute.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by jaynetarzana

I am surprised there isn't anyone who is willing to ring in about how they feel things are going at their California public school for their child. Anyone?

No children of school age in the house at the moment...

Co-workers rave about their kids public schools... 3 moved specifically to get into the districts... two moved to Piedmont CA and one to Orinda... they couldn't be more pleased...

I also have friends with kids in Castro Valley and they are very pleased...

The common thread is the parents are very motivated, involved and willing to move to give their kids a better education.... by involved... I mean as volunteers, teacher's aids and even serving on the PTA.

A few years ago, one of my friends didn't like the direction of her child's school in Hayward... she wouldn't take no for an answer and was elected to the school board... again... parental involvement is key.

[Charles]

I wouldn't doubt there's a correlation between "good" (high performing on standardized tests) schools, expensive neighborhoods, high incomes and high education levels.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Charles

I wouldn't doubt there's a correlation between "good" (high performing on standardized tests) schools, expensive neighborhoods, high incomes and high education levels.

I've seen the same parental motivation without the high income and high education as a Property Manager...

Even the higher income areas like Piedmont have rentals and rental apartment buildings...

Several families, all refugees, mostly from Vietnam or Cambodia moved to units in Piedmont... sometimes called Baja Piedmont... these parents didn't speak English or English well, had extremely limited resources and the desire for their children to succeed... one is now in medical school... not bad when your family had nothing 25 years ago... Another is a one man of family lawn service... all 3 of his children are in the UC system and Dad couldn't be prouder.

I can't emphasize enough the difference Parental involvement makes... no matter what side of the tracks you find yourself.

[AwayAndBackToSac]

47th?


...any yet somehow, a retired teacher and retired policeman (both who worked here in Sac) managed to own the home I currently rent, as well as another rental home, and their own home on an acre in Fair Oaks...

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dude

I've made the choice that california schools simply are not capable of turning my daughter into a well rounded citizen. We will be going private when she is of preschool age. The third world values, backwardism, and complete lack of cohesiveness is just too much. Its easy to see who is responsible for the decline in schools. The democrates who have controlled the legislature for decades and the greedy inept unions they support.

of course that isn't true: 1-the schools should be your child's main way of learning, not only book learning but morals, manners, self worth, etc. If there had never been a prop 13 in the 70s the schools and all social programs would have millions more dollars to throw away and that would solve all the problems.