Do you think Charter Schools and Choice Vouchers are good alternatives to "failing" pub. schools? Why? Why not
112832
I don't.  Everytime we pull students out of public school we weaken them even more.
538684
I believe that a "light" uniform policy should be used.  Example:  a polo shirt with a school logo or mascot on the pocket, but still let them choose their pants.  This way, students are still able to express their creativity, and the school can still keep tabs on students easily because they'd all be wearing the same shirt.  It's the only option that benefits both parties and makes a decent compromise.
281854
Absolutely.  Public schools are becoming a total 'joke' in America.  Just look at all the grammatical and spelling errors on this site!
137004
For some individuals, Yes.  Two of my high-school age children are currently attending charter schools, and with great results. They get more individualized attention and better grades.
378120
There are many problems that exist with public schools, and there are a variety of reasons.  Parents aren't making their kids learn any discipline or have any discipline about learning, schools are underfunded, teachers are underpaid, (which makes some potentially great teachers choose other fields) lack of community support, exagerated emphasis on standardized testing, etc.  The biggest problem would be apathy from the general public, everyone always thinks that it either isn't their problem or that someone else will fix it. It's like the TV ad with the huge group of people standing around talking about how horrible it is that someone dropped trash 2 feet from the trash can, but no one in the group actually reaches down and picks it up.  Lest you all think I am all talk and no action, I am an 11 year veteran teacher of public high school, and yes, I am still "in the trenches."
1037025
As a teacher, I advocate many alternate methods:  Odyssey of the Mind, science fairs, music recitals.  I like anything which brings out the creativity of the students.  Dry, dull tests are often intimidating.  Many are slanted toward (against) certain ethnic and/or financial status background students, although standardized testing is becoming fairer and more universal.  One of the problems is budget.  School personnel who create and/or choose curriculum are restricted by money and time.  As education is one of the most important aspects of our lives, we need to change our ways of looking at education.\n\nI hope to pique students' interests in inventing, creating, producing.  I like essays over tests.  I am willing to accept book reports over tests.
593034
This is an issue of religious freedom and parental choice.  It does not cost the taxpayer any extra money for parents to get vouchers. In fact, it saves the state money.\n\n Generally the voucher is for half of the amount that would go to the public school.  The other half of the money stays in the public education system.  Let's say that 30 kids from one public school decide to use vouchers and go to private schools and that the average cost per student is $9,000 a year.  This would mean that the school would get $135,000 toward the education of students who are not even attending.  The abscence of those 30 students mean that the school has $135,000 to improve facilities, maintain buildings, buy supplies for classrooms, or pay teachers more money.  If those students had remained in public school than the school would have gotten another $135,000 but the whole amount ($270,000) would have been used to hire more teachers, and pay for the educational expenses of those 30 students.\n\nThe teacher's unions and anti-voucher lobby's "concerns" over vouchers have nothing to do with schools losing money.  They just don't like that vouchers break up the public school monopoly.  Vouchers force public schools to compete with private schools for students.\n\nBy the way, I prefer tax credits for parents who choose alternative education for their children to vouchers.  Vouchers open up a whole new can of worms in that they may in the future lead to attempts by government to control the curriculum in private schools and homeschools.
971839
As long as Academic Standards were constantly pushed higher by the increased competition, I'm all for giving Parents more control over their children's education.\nIf it means dismantling the least successful school districts in\nfavor of advancement for the student, I wont shed a single tear for the career bearucrats who have a stranglehold on the current system.
112259
Aside from the standard public k-12 schools, there are also private and church schools, operated by private organizations independent from state intervention.\n\nThen there are charter schools which are privately operated but funded by the state (requiring them to meet state guidelines) Charter schools usually cater to at-risk students(students in danger of dropping out) or offered as a free alternative to public school when the parents can't afford a private school.\n\nNext there are magnet schools, which are intensified education schools with a strong curriculum in math and science, designed for the extremely gifted and talented students (or parents) that are trying to accelerate their learning.\n\nAnd last there is home school, where the parents teach their children what they should learn in public school.
1141350
It's not working ANYWHERE!!  Not only are the politicians and policies leaving the children behind...but they are leaving the parents behind as well!!  (Every time we send an American Job overseas, we lose a job here, which in turn reduces taxes collected to fund the programs the government establishes.)  With regard to the NCLB bill, it was designed to establish better accountability, funding, state assessments etc. throughout the country.  Not only has this not been done in the state of NY, but also the track record of NCLB is null...there isn't one.  Have you seen the literacy rate in the state of FL?  Isn't that Jeb Bush's state?  I could write a book on this topic since I volunteer many hours within our local public school system.  The funding isn't available, the accountability isn't there, and there are NO checks and balances for this program.  It is a great idea, and could have promise if it were properly implemented and funded; but that has yet to happen.  \n\nBottom line, you aren't alone...we are ALL in the same boat here\n!
795158
Speaking as a teacher, failure is not something we prefer to practice but it is a necessary part of teaching.  If everyone passed whether they did the work or not, there would not be starndards so why learn at all?  Teaching is changing to the extent there is a movement not of failure but not letting students go on until they master a concept or level.  You pass when you pass,  Unfortunately this is not practical in very large systems or schools and there needs to be a remediation level for students who refuse to work.  When i went to grade school it didnt matter how long you sat in a class you were not going to go to the next grade until you passed.  There was very little failure because every year there seemed to be one student held back who was of course older and larger, and obviously someone who failed.  The current system is to pass students socially to avoid some of that type of social stigma in grade school.  In high school students are not given their credits until they earn them.
995670
I think it's good, if you take advantage of it. But most kids don't, and then when they grow up and don't succeed, they blame it on the education system, instead of taking responsibility for their actions.
39847
If all schools were private, then all parents would have to pay tuition.  Is that feasible?  No.   School vouchers could assist with some of the financial burden, but there would still be some who can't pay.  The government could further subsidize, but then more than half of the school's tuition would most likely come from the government.  And how fair is that, to those who are struggling, but can still make payments?  If a majority of the school is going at the government's expense, why can't my child?  So then when government steps in again...it might as well be public school.  With the exception of school zones.  Then, every parent would be camping out to get their child in the better school.  Then when the spots are filled, people have to settle for what's left over.  How would you feel if your child was at a second-rate school because you didn't camp out longer than the mom in front of you?  Your child's education could suffer because of your lack of endurance.  \n\nI know that's a little over the top, but I said it to prove a point.  Private education is fantastic - my daughter was in it for three years.  But, I was lucky enough to move to a zone where the public school was just as good.\n\nChoice is good.  With vouchers and other scholarships, private school can be attainable for just about anyone who pursues it.  And, as long as there is a choice...and with a decreasing census in the public schools...they can always strive for excellence, making their school a place where parents wan their children.
1011203
Definately not.  \n\nWhile I'm not one to promote dropping out of school, many, many good people have succeeded very well without completing their education.  There are many good people who would be wonderful advocates for the people who dropped out of school and spent years and years running their own business.  These people are certainly bright enough and experienced enough to contribute to the democratic process, are they not? \n\nRemember that a diploma is ONLY a piece of paper.  It's a piece of paper that says you completed school--which is a good thing--but says nothing further about your qualifications.  Frankly, these days anybody who wants to can complete school.  It says nothing about what classes you took, how well you did, or what you actually know.  It's just a piece of paper.  \n\nDemocracy suffers if anybody is locked out.
273346
While bobweb's suggestions are interesting and provide food for thought, they don't really address the reality that exists in most schools, nor are they very helpful in addressing your question.\n\nI have attached a number of websites that I hope will be helpful to you.  8th grade was my favorite one to teach.  Good luck with it.
454741
Yes,why not,i love my school.i dont know why some students dont like school that disruptive in class. at all school is our second home & the teachers are our second parents.
822674
On first glance I would be tempted to say no. Then again, many of the Atlanta City Schools are trying to raise their test scores and provide a good quality education for students. Also, many schools are experience an influx of money due to Atlanta's urban real estate boom so alot of inner-city schools are morphing into better schools.\n\nOne thing you can do is go to the website www.greatschools.net\n\nThere you can see if the school is a good fit for you or your kids.