DISQUS

We've got kids in first and second grade. We started in the regular local public schools, but rapidly found out that our kids need to be challenged to be successful...and with public schools just trying to get everyone to meet very minimal standards that just wasn't happening. There's also the problem of what I will label under-parented kids. If the parents aren't on board in a host of ways, there's really nothing a teacher can do. Frankly I was shocked at the general lack of parenting and parental responsibility I observed. Our kids were suffering because of it and we struggled to make a change. A lateral move wasn't going to help, so we went looking elsewhere. Private is not an option for many reasons. We have a very strong charter school system here. School chartered and funded directly by the state with the goal of providing a drastically different educational structure and experience. Not only did we find a school with a curriculum we loved (classical in a non-religious context), but we were lucky enough to actually have our kids win a spot through lottery. There are well over a hundred kids on waiting lists for kindergarten and first grade. We are seeing what a difference plugged in families (there is a volunteer requirement) and high standards can make. Our kids have always been quick, sharp, bright. They are blowing us out of the water almost daily with what they are soaking up given the opportunity. Care to discuss Mesopotamia or the fall of Rome with my 2nd grader? Justinian's code? Beowolf? My barely first grader can can not only read and write fluently he can name all of the continents, do simple addition and subtraction problems and recite rhymes that name all of the countries in all of those continents. Public education can work. The templates exist. People have to care though. People have to not settle for "good enough". And parents have to stop thinking the schools will clean up their messes and do all of their work.

1) Heat is a fabulous read.
2) Cannot agree with anything more than the low impact thoughts expressed above. It most certainly is a choice. I laugh myself silly when suburban friends tell me they can't afford to live in the city (as we do). Uh, no, they most probably couldn't afford the 4,000 square foot mini mansion they have now...but uh, what about everything else? We have great farmers markets infesting our Twin Cities metro area, ditto for co-ops. Hugely accessible public transport. Neighborhood businesses galore. Even if you have to drive to what you need, it's a mile or so away. No 20 minute trips to Target or the grocery. It can be easily done...you just have to decide it's worth it.

I am so glad to know I'm not the only one! The fact that there really isn't a good reason to call such linguistic quandaries either way always both boggles and delights me. On the one hand I so want someone to be able to give me a firm, clear answer to the "but why?"...on the other I revel in the fluidity of language as a whole. It's so much more vibrant this way. Must be the brain hiccups.