State Takeover of Your Kids
I want to discuss some things I hear over and over again in regards to public education. I will offend those that believe every word coming out of Big Ed’s mouth. My goal is to clear your mind from the brainwashing you have received from the Government/Education Complex.
The topics are:
- Some parents don’t care at home
- All children have an equal right to the same education
- We all pay for it sooner or later
Let’s start with parents not caring at home. How many parents don’t care? Yes, there are a few, but by far there is an overwhelming majority of parents that do care about their children’s education. There are still others who don’t understand the language and have a hard time helping their children. The fault of this last one is our society. We have become a society where multiculturalism is celebrated. We have lost the fact that we can celebrate our culture, but you need to be immersed in American culture to excel here.
Since there are only a few parents who don’t care about education, why does that make it the State’s responsibility to take over the education for all children? Instead of letting the State takeover all decisions of the parents, target those parents. It will less expensive to the State and leaves the majority of parents with the freedom to educate their children in the best way they see fit.
Once parents secede authority to the State, you will not get it back. It will eventually have unwanted consequences on your own children. That is what is happening today in Public Education. The State mandates so many things that are the responsibility of the parents. Below are these unfunded mandates. These were taken from Better Funding For Better Schools.
Public schools in the State of Illinois must teach the following:
In addition, Illinois Public Schools must also:
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For those of us wanting to keep an open mind and look at both sides, reading through statements like “believe every word coming out of Big Ed’s mouth” really makes me question the other side from YOUR perspective. It’s derogatory and nasty. Keep it constructive and I’ll listen to your point of view (and maybe even constructively debate it).
Sorry if that statement offends you. I know not all people believe eveything they are told by Big Ed. There are those that do though and they seem to be the most vocal lately. I’m still human and I react sometimes.
Please feel free to debate me and the other readers who comment here. That is what will help us solve the problems I see today in education.
The statement doesn’t offend me, rather THOSE repeated, continual, name-calling statements detract from my wanting to discuss and debate with you. While there are many others who throw the same name-calling crap your way, there are many who don’t. I would be one of those, but don’t want to wade through, and get sucked into, the rhetoric around the facts and issues.
You can always email me your comments if you prefer.
What is your evidence for the statement that “only a few” parents don’t care about education? My impression from speaking to the people I know in the educational community — a teacher, a principal, and a school superintendent — is quite the opposite. Parents are a big part of the problem. Maybe you are speaking about their theoretical views — most parents would answer a survey question “do you care?” with a yes. But in practice, they set bad examples, don’t show up for meetings, don’t pay attention to what is happening, etc. I think I agree with your key point about the dangers of ceding authority to the State. But this is not a successful plot by the government. It’s a default position that the government has slipped into given its unquestioned monopoly over the education system. Parents are *willingly ceding this authority* because anything else is too much like hard work. (Except folks like you who homeschool, and the parents who really do get involved, but I really think they are in the minority.)
I strongly believe in education reform, but it’s the *whole system* that needs to be reformed, based on a true systems thinking perspective. The attitude of parents is one part of that system.
Sarah, I’ve heard that said before. But, with respect, I don’t think it’s correct. I think most parents (and, for the record, I’m not a parent just yet) haven’t surrended so much as been bypassed. They want to help their kids in ways they think are important, but school districts want them to participate only on the terms the school sets: Attend this vital meeting where we’ll discuss the points on this agenda we’ve written. Fill out this vital paperwork you’ve never heard us mention before. Read this important decision we’ve made on your behalf. That’s backwards, and parents can see that it’s more about restricting their interference than about inviting their participation.
Personal experience of being in the schools when my oldest did attend Public Schools tells me most parents care about their childrens education. Yes, I know it is also reflective of where you live as well. Most parents will tell you they want a better life for their kids than they have. That involves education.
I agree with Bryan though that the Goverment/Education Complex does what it can to bypass the parents. Most of Big Ed believe they know best on how to educate and parents too often just get in the way. This is how Big Ed operates. They take whatever we give up or won’t fight to keep.
Why am I considered tyrannical if I request a parent teacher conference, and then feel frustrated when no one shows and I am left waiting?
When over half of my spec ed class came to school without breakfast (this was before we started offering breakfast at school), I felt relieved that the breakfast program started. I have to feel bad about that?
Earth to Lennie. The average teacher would rather not spend time out of the learning day sending kids to get their eyes checked, or have to be aware of abuse and neglect concerns. But as a previous commentor noted, most of this stuff comes to us by default.
I understand the desire to hold back the reach of government. I just think you need to get yourself into a school and see the reality that teachers have to deal with.
Before my wife and I started homeschooling, our oldest attended public schools. I have spent time in schools then and as a substitute when I was in college. My wife spent a lot more time volunteering in the public schools than I did. “Most parents care”.
It seems you may live in a district where my experience is not the norm. I’m sorry for that.
In a privitized system, parents are not actually able to send their chilren where they “choose” but only able to send their children where the children are admitted. Since the supply to college prep private school current exceeds the supply and cost more per student than public schools, the demand will always exceed the supply.
If you are so knowing on private schools, then name a country in the world where a private only system exist and compare its educational success to that of the suburban schools of any large metropolitan area.