Public School

[thistles]

There is a lot of drama going on here about the public schools. The state is broke and education is getting slashed right and left. We here in Chicago have been fortunate to have all-day Kindergarten -- the state funds half of that budget and the school funds the other half. Which means that most, but not all Chicago Public Schools have all-day

Comments

[tupelo]

It sounds like I'm saying here that it's not good enough for MY child. And maybe I am saying that, as much as it pains me. I'm really conflicted!

This is a big part of the reason why I am homeschooling next year. The public schools in our area are dismal. I've taught in them, I know. And I refuse to sacrifice my child to a big, poorly-run government entity just so I don't feel liberal guilt for being one more privileged white parent who doesn't send their kid to city schools because they have the ability to make other choices (private school, homeschooling et al). Not that I even feel that way, but it seems like some of my neighbors would like me to. My first responsibility is to my family and to Suley, and I don't give two figs what the neighbors think.

I hope that makes sense. It's been a long day.

[tanyalita]

You make complete sense to me.

[anamomda]

I feel for you. This is a tough one. I miss my little yellow house with its awesome backyard EVERY DAY, but the public school situation in New Haven was just so abysmal that we had to move.

[caravanserai]

It's a lot easier to be a liberal before you have kids! I've seen many of my liberal friends cross to the other side when it's their child who has to go through the public school system. Clearly it's time for you guys to buy an SUV and move to the burbs ;) (Did I mention we can do you a great deal on a Ford?)

[tanyalita]

Do they give up all their liberal values and cross completely over, or do they just realize it is appropriate to want the best for your own kids?

[caravanserai]

I was being a little facetious to wind up my urbanite, liberal friend. Of course it's possible to still keep your liberal values and want the best for your child. But when you use the slippery slope argument (which I hate), if every liberal-minded parent did that, then the system would fall apart for everyone else. So wanting the best for your kid can actually disadvantage other kids. Don't get me wrong, I would totally do it, and I still consider myself a liberal.

[tanyalita]

I was teasing you a little bit, but not too successfully. :-)

It is so difficult. Clint and I are wrestling with these issues right now. We are going to have to compromise somewhere.

I saw the system fall apart where I grew up. It was heartbreaking especially since it was based more on race than anything else (totally appalling to me, but the reality in New Orleans.)

[tanyalita]

I completely understand how you feel. When I started to investigate schools here, I was sorely disappointed to learn the beautiful, old school in walking distance of our first house was rated quite low, the second worst in town. It isn't close to good enough. I had to mourn the death of my dream of walking Annie to school every morning. I also had to face that I can't, in good conscience, send Annie to a sub par school when there are other, much better alternatives. We have a lot to figure out before we buy a house here next year, such as where are we going to sell-out and/or compromise.