Perhaps, but that leaves a lot out. I have done well as a product (mostly) of the Columbus Public Schools you mention. They lacked a lot in the “opportunity” department and I should have ended up much worse. Sure, I associated with the “advanced science and math” geeks, but they were not that wholesome of a bunch, in general.

My loner tendencies is what kept me out of a lot of things that would have been quite detrimental.

Though that is not the root of it. A factor model of education is not the ideal way for anyone. It may be acceptable in a given situation, but it is a flawed model in many ways. Having a system that actively pushes a strong philosophy also hinders things.

While I have a strong education, up through an M.S., my independent learning has been much more successful in my life than any formal schooling. It is fortunate that any formal schooling didn’t squish that.

I would strongly encourage anyone to choose the path with more flexibility, ultimately. It is tough striving against the current monopoly, but the groundwork will drastically change over the next few decades. Getting ahead of that change will be much more productive for your own children.

Brad

As for your school’s budget woes… this is what my school has faced these past three or four years: two million in cuts every year (running a school on less than last year is difficult since teachers get raises). This year push came to shove, the voters failed to pass the levy for the second time, and now we’re facing something like another ten million in cuts. Almost one third of the teaching staff is being let go. I can’t even imagine what it will be like next year, but since I’m one of those being let go, I guess it’s not my problem to worry about anymore. I’ll just stay at home with my baby and pray my husband keeps his job!

Jodie R.’s last blog post..Slaving over a Hot Stove

As to homeschooling, my wife pulled it off with our children and she only had a high school diploma. Dedication and interest is far more important early on. Our children never picked up my love for learning almost anything, but they still know more than most of the graduates of the nearest government school.

Take advantage of many life experiences and expose your children to many real life things. How “natural” is being cooped up with a group that is within a year of your own age anyway?

Check out the unschooling movement for some good ideas on flexible approaches. We ended up following a more relaxed schooling approach, but I am not in favor of a highly structured approach whatever method you choose.

Lots of good support is available and a local library is likely packed with good books. You don’t need to be super patient, you just need to love your children. Your class size is going to shrink dramatically, something that will make up for any loss of formal training. (And it is debatable how valuable that training really is. See the discussions of having practitioners in many areas teach rather than those going through “teacher’s colleges”.)

I would also note that a factory model of education is not going to hold up to the information economy. We need a more flexible method of instruction that is more personalized. The technology is getting there, but the personalization is far more important in most cases!

Brad

People who do not move are choosing to not eat the cake, nor have it. You lose BOTH ways.

I pay a big chunk in taxes, but I get Free Schooling and the district here is GREAT. I selected this current home based on the School District, and now my commute is greater, but I am happier since kids are doing well.

Today they are in Champaign, IL with other top schools at a Math Competition. Would it have happened with my old school > NO WAY.

take care…..

Kenny

Heidi @ ggip’s last blog post..Transition from Cradle to Crib

If they are doing such a good job, why do they fight vouchers at every turn? If these schools were really doing a good job educating children, they would welcome vouchers because the schools that are doing the best job would grow and have even more funding.

But the stone cold reality is that some public schools would literally go away, many would struggle and the few that are doing a great job would actually grow. But vouchers would accomplish in one or two years what nothing else including more money has ever been able to accomplish.

It would force public schools to really improve how they educate students, or they would literally go away and be replaced by private organizations that would lease existing school facilities and take over where the public schools have failed.

Remember, private schools have to excel at educating students or parents are not going to pay $5,000 or more per year to have their children go there. Private schools face the real world of having to actually provide a superior education, because if they dont’t they will cease to exist. They don’t get the $5500 that the state gives to each student they have in their district. They have to do a superior job educating students every day or parents won’t pay tuition.

Public schools are always crying for more money, yet private schools provide a superior education for far less money than public schools. In Oregon, when you add in bond measures that school districts are allowed to use to build buildings and facilities, taxpayers spend almost $8,000 per year on every public school student. Most private schools are in the $5-6,000 range.

Most public schools know all about doing less with more, but they know nothing about doing more with less. It is no wonder they are completely clueless about how to deal with a huge budget shortfall. Instead of looking at everything they spend money on and asking the question “are we getting our moneys worth?”, their answer is to fire teachers and/or cut school days.

(Now I will get off my soapbox!)

However, the public school system isn’t working effectively, and I don’t think anyone who can change it is really going to acknowledge that something needs to be changed, unless kids start leaving public schools. So while I feel bad that pulling my kids out may hurt the funding for the schools, I’m not willing to sacrifice my children’s education, just so the school can have more funding.

In the end, the responsibility for raising my children and making sure they’re well educated lies with me, and my first responsibility is to my kids.