In defense of public schools....... you really cannot blame schools for the lack of education that a student recieves.
Education begins at home!
The curriculum is well planned, the teachers are working their *#@@es off and the public doesn't care. The parents only real concern is that the kids are out of the house. (And I do NOT mean lower achieving students!!!) My students are required to Science Fair projects....ONLY THE AP students...Due date was Wednesday. I sent out e-mails to all the parents AND mailed home notices two weeks ago. I had 32 of my 60 AP students turn in their papers. The parents make every excuse in the world for why their poor little children should not be penalized because they cannot do the work I require on time. If I were to hold these kids accountable to a real level of Scientific Knowledge and achievement, I would have less than 10% pass my class and you would hear the screams and teeth gnashing OF PARENTS from coast to coast (the kids wouldn't care.)IF YOU WANT GOOD SCHOOLS YOU CANNOT DEPEND ON THE SCHOOL! YOU HAVE TO WORK AS A PARENT TO SEE THAT KIDS DO THE WORK! Every day!! and quit making excuses and saving them when they don't.
TOday's public schools demand accountablility...teachers are accountable, administrators are accountable, but the students are not (and neither are the parents)
I apologize for the length of this but its been a long week!
End of Rant!