Public education has such an opportunity to be an equalizer. I want to believe in our public schools. But then, the quality of our local public schools makes us extremely reluctant to send our children there, when they are old enough.
Children, starting with full-day kindergarten, do not get a real recess. Only 14% of children are reading at grade level, and a shocking 7% are doing math at grade level.
Violence is prevalent, with children bringing in weapons regularly, and teachers spending most of their day disciplining students instead of teaching.
I shudder to imagine sending a 5-year old into this hostile environment for 8 hours a day. "School choice" is taking resources away from our public schools, so I loathe to buy into that system. Nor do I want to send my child to a mostly white, upper-class private school. Homeschooling has many of the same downsides. We would like to move, to flee for better schools, but that is also problematic, as well as costly.
My son is only 2, so we have some time before this decision needs to be made. Despite this, the dilemma consumes me constantly already. I know that the more parents can be involved in their local schools, the better the outcomes are for all students.
I want to give that investment and support. But at what cost? My child's mental health and education? This burden falls on parents while officials squander our money and fail our children. I think it is important to note that we are in an extremely liberal state, where policy almost always aligns with my personal progressive belief system, but something is not right. This is not right.
PS: If you haven't listened to it already, I recommend the podcast "Sold a Story," which is about how U.S. public schools are not teaching children to read.
There's so much hope in public education. I have listened to "Sold a Story." It's very good and alarming. I admit that I was relieved to know my kid (who was in Kinder when I listened) was not being taught that way. However, I would recommend checking out Integrated Schools --they also have an amazing podcast. It's an organization/movement focused on challenging the current segregationist tactics that tend to be wrapped up in school choice.
They challenge the messages we tend to be fed, particularly in white, privileged circles as the "standard" of what is deemed as high quality. We're making assumptions on what kind of environment is right for our kids. From the moment our kids are born (and even before!) we're thinking about where to live so our kid can go to a "good" school and it's encouraged because it's a constant conversation amongst other parents. But the definition of what is "good" is very subjective and often rooted in racist ideals, but the convo has been so normalized that it feels normal.
What we don't see is that our kids (all kids) actually have better outcomes when they're in diverse settings, when they learn to engage with kids who might not look like them. This goes for kids of all races. I got talk to Heather McGhee who wrote the amazing book, "The Sum of Us," for a story I wrote for Parents.com a couple years ago and she talked about that. Here's the story: https://web.archive.org/web/20210928111511/https://www.parents.com/kids/responsibility/racism/how-white-parents-can-resist-modern-day-segregation-in-schools/. Her book in general is also just a great resource on how we can all build a better society together if we see our futures wrapped up in one another's. Highly recommend!
Yes to all of this! You articulated a lot of the noise going on in my head these days. There are so many factors. I look forward to reading this and checking out the podcast after some meetings this morning; thanks so much for sharing. I agree wholeheartedly that what is "good" is wrapped up in racist ideals – which is one reason why moving to another school district truly doesn't seem like a comfortable answer to us. But when the existing schools are also racist... oy. We need to advocate, build a better society together, and figure out the best way to live in the society that exists at this second. Glad to hear your schools are teaching reading in a better way! I am concerned about sending a child to school and needing to teach them to read, do math, etc. outside of school hours... Hopefully with advocacy, in a few years, things will change. The state took over our school district a few years ago, and things have only gotten worse. We need it back in local hands.
I feel you completely... my oldest is 3.5 years old and I am constantly wrestling with thoughts of what we'll do for kindergarten. For a long time, I've said I'm a huge believer in public education. I'm a product of public education (although listening to the podcast, Nice White Parents was very eye-opening, since I went to a language magnet school from elementary all the way to high school). The thing that gnaws on me more than anything - more than the "standards" that they're teaching and the lack of recess (which is truly awful, esp for such young kids), are the lockdown/active shooter drills. Also, the fact that every kindergartener in NC receives a tablet. These are two things I'd really like to avoid exposing my kids to at a young age...
Totally. One of the great things about going the public education route as a privileged parent is that you're well-positioned to be an advocate for what would work for all students as well as your own kids. One of the elements I love about Integrated Schools is how they frame their focus on advocacy: "With literal 'skin in the game,' parents committed to meaningful integration are well-positioned to fight for equity." https://integratedschools.org/
Hugs, Carmella. I'm also worried about the volume of screen learning, which studies indicate to be less effective long-term. I agree with Elizabeth that we need to have skin in the game, but I wonder of we can behave as though we do whether or not our children attend the public schools. Perhaps I am coming from a particularly jaded and biased perspective as someone who was a local education reporter for 2 (recent) years. I was in a very unique position where I was completely up-to-date on the issues facing the students and families. More so than most families without a student attending the schools. I believe we need to advocate for all students, even when our kids are 2, and when our kids are grown, and when we don't have children. Although parents are better-positioned to do that, as Elizabeth points out. The dilemma I just keep coming back to is that sending our child to the local school feels like doing him a disservice, for the sake of changes that we hope will happen down the road (when he is no longer school-age). Because these things move slowly. I know that as a community-minded person, this should feel a fair trade, but as a parent, love and protection and concern overwhelm me. Right now, I cannot seem to compromise the two. But I am enjoying reading all of these thoughts and the resource Elizabeth provided, Integrated Schools. I'm starting their podcast and know I have so much work to do. Thank you all for starting and facilitating this discussion.
Having the conversation is the first step and that's great! I definitely recommend going from there and keep doing the research. I'm actually interested to learn more about why NC gives out pads to kids and in what format. I know my son uses a Chromebook occasionally in class, but it seems pretty moderate compared to other forms of learning. And I'd imagine reasonings might be equity-focused as many kids don't have access to personal computers at home. Although definitely less of a need for younger grades.
Also, might be worth talking with families who are in it. Integrated Schools has a Caregiver Connection program where families who are considering sending their kids to an integrated school (meaning a school with majority kids of color) and a family who is in it: https://integratedschools.org/caregiver-connection/. They also have a whole two-tour pledge model: https://integratedschools.org/two-tour-pledge/. We often make decisions without ever stepping foot in the schools from the perspective as a parent, so would be important to take a deep look before making a decision.
thanks for the resources! i've been thinking that a lot of my fears and founded on assumptions (about gun violence/lockdown drills & tech in schools) so i've been reaching out to my local community and asking people about their experiences with these things. i've been having some very eye-opening conversations, and i must say that what i'm hearing doesn't at all sway me towards public schools, sadly.
Thanks for giving more context about the strike. There is no job more important than teacher and I hope they are properly compensated very soon.
Indeed! We're hoping this gets wrapped up soon. Hard to say at this point.
Public education has such an opportunity to be an equalizer. I want to believe in our public schools. But then, the quality of our local public schools makes us extremely reluctant to send our children there, when they are old enough.
Children, starting with full-day kindergarten, do not get a real recess. Only 14% of children are reading at grade level, and a shocking 7% are doing math at grade level.
Violence is prevalent, with children bringing in weapons regularly, and teachers spending most of their day disciplining students instead of teaching.
I shudder to imagine sending a 5-year old into this hostile environment for 8 hours a day. "School choice" is taking resources away from our public schools, so I loathe to buy into that system. Nor do I want to send my child to a mostly white, upper-class private school. Homeschooling has many of the same downsides. We would like to move, to flee for better schools, but that is also problematic, as well as costly.
My son is only 2, so we have some time before this decision needs to be made. Despite this, the dilemma consumes me constantly already. I know that the more parents can be involved in their local schools, the better the outcomes are for all students.
I want to give that investment and support. But at what cost? My child's mental health and education? This burden falls on parents while officials squander our money and fail our children. I think it is important to note that we are in an extremely liberal state, where policy almost always aligns with my personal progressive belief system, but something is not right. This is not right.
PS: If you haven't listened to it already, I recommend the podcast "Sold a Story," which is about how U.S. public schools are not teaching children to read.
There's so much hope in public education. I have listened to "Sold a Story." It's very good and alarming. I admit that I was relieved to know my kid (who was in Kinder when I listened) was not being taught that way. However, I would recommend checking out Integrated Schools --they also have an amazing podcast. It's an organization/movement focused on challenging the current segregationist tactics that tend to be wrapped up in school choice.
They challenge the messages we tend to be fed, particularly in white, privileged circles as the "standard" of what is deemed as high quality. We're making assumptions on what kind of environment is right for our kids. From the moment our kids are born (and even before!) we're thinking about where to live so our kid can go to a "good" school and it's encouraged because it's a constant conversation amongst other parents. But the definition of what is "good" is very subjective and often rooted in racist ideals, but the convo has been so normalized that it feels normal.
What we don't see is that our kids (all kids) actually have better outcomes when they're in diverse settings, when they learn to engage with kids who might not look like them. This goes for kids of all races. I got talk to Heather McGhee who wrote the amazing book, "The Sum of Us," for a story I wrote for Parents.com a couple years ago and she talked about that. Here's the story: https://web.archive.org/web/20210928111511/https://www.parents.com/kids/responsibility/racism/how-white-parents-can-resist-modern-day-segregation-in-schools/. Her book in general is also just a great resource on how we can all build a better society together if we see our futures wrapped up in one another's. Highly recommend!
Yes to all of this! You articulated a lot of the noise going on in my head these days. There are so many factors. I look forward to reading this and checking out the podcast after some meetings this morning; thanks so much for sharing. I agree wholeheartedly that what is "good" is wrapped up in racist ideals – which is one reason why moving to another school district truly doesn't seem like a comfortable answer to us. But when the existing schools are also racist... oy. We need to advocate, build a better society together, and figure out the best way to live in the society that exists at this second. Glad to hear your schools are teaching reading in a better way! I am concerned about sending a child to school and needing to teach them to read, do math, etc. outside of school hours... Hopefully with advocacy, in a few years, things will change. The state took over our school district a few years ago, and things have only gotten worse. We need it back in local hands.
I feel you completely... my oldest is 3.5 years old and I am constantly wrestling with thoughts of what we'll do for kindergarten. For a long time, I've said I'm a huge believer in public education. I'm a product of public education (although listening to the podcast, Nice White Parents was very eye-opening, since I went to a language magnet school from elementary all the way to high school). The thing that gnaws on me more than anything - more than the "standards" that they're teaching and the lack of recess (which is truly awful, esp for such young kids), are the lockdown/active shooter drills. Also, the fact that every kindergartener in NC receives a tablet. These are two things I'd really like to avoid exposing my kids to at a young age...
Totally. One of the great things about going the public education route as a privileged parent is that you're well-positioned to be an advocate for what would work for all students as well as your own kids. One of the elements I love about Integrated Schools is how they frame their focus on advocacy: "With literal 'skin in the game,' parents committed to meaningful integration are well-positioned to fight for equity." https://integratedschools.org/
Hugs, Carmella. I'm also worried about the volume of screen learning, which studies indicate to be less effective long-term. I agree with Elizabeth that we need to have skin in the game, but I wonder of we can behave as though we do whether or not our children attend the public schools. Perhaps I am coming from a particularly jaded and biased perspective as someone who was a local education reporter for 2 (recent) years. I was in a very unique position where I was completely up-to-date on the issues facing the students and families. More so than most families without a student attending the schools. I believe we need to advocate for all students, even when our kids are 2, and when our kids are grown, and when we don't have children. Although parents are better-positioned to do that, as Elizabeth points out. The dilemma I just keep coming back to is that sending our child to the local school feels like doing him a disservice, for the sake of changes that we hope will happen down the road (when he is no longer school-age). Because these things move slowly. I know that as a community-minded person, this should feel a fair trade, but as a parent, love and protection and concern overwhelm me. Right now, I cannot seem to compromise the two. But I am enjoying reading all of these thoughts and the resource Elizabeth provided, Integrated Schools. I'm starting their podcast and know I have so much work to do. Thank you all for starting and facilitating this discussion.
Having the conversation is the first step and that's great! I definitely recommend going from there and keep doing the research. I'm actually interested to learn more about why NC gives out pads to kids and in what format. I know my son uses a Chromebook occasionally in class, but it seems pretty moderate compared to other forms of learning. And I'd imagine reasonings might be equity-focused as many kids don't have access to personal computers at home. Although definitely less of a need for younger grades.
Also, might be worth talking with families who are in it. Integrated Schools has a Caregiver Connection program where families who are considering sending their kids to an integrated school (meaning a school with majority kids of color) and a family who is in it: https://integratedschools.org/caregiver-connection/. They also have a whole two-tour pledge model: https://integratedschools.org/two-tour-pledge/. We often make decisions without ever stepping foot in the schools from the perspective as a parent, so would be important to take a deep look before making a decision.
thanks for the resources! i've been thinking that a lot of my fears and founded on assumptions (about gun violence/lockdown drills & tech in schools) so i've been reaching out to my local community and asking people about their experiences with these things. i've been having some very eye-opening conversations, and i must say that what i'm hearing doesn't at all sway me towards public schools, sadly.
Interestingly, one of the writers I have been following on Substack for a while just published a long essay about taking her child out of public school and choosing homeschooling... https://termsofendearment.substack.com/p/a-big-declaration?r=53w5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
she links to this really good article about the swelling homeschooling movement written by a longtime school administrator in CA https://www.thebeliever.net/tune-in-drop-out-homeschool/