Parents and Our Education System

Yesterday we had a big wind storm. Big enough to knock out our power for several hours (some places, I read, are still without power). Big enough to close schools (this is monumental because feet of snow won't shut down our schools). As I was reading the comment board on an article posted on ksl.com, I could not believe that parents were complaining about how the school closures were being handled, about how it's such a pain. I kept thinking, "Really? Aren't you the parent here? Can't you just make up your own mind about whether or not you feel safe in taking your kid to school today instead of letting the city dictate that for you?"

That is not all.

Educators encourage parent involvement at school and in the home re: academics. I support it. I'm engaged. But here's what gets me. I had listened off and on to talk radio on my way to pick up Hannah from a school activity, and the talk was about holding kids back a grade. A parent came on and gave his opinion, that he thinks it is the school that makes the decisions. In my experience, I found that to be true. Then, a teacher came on and agreed with the parent. She said they do not hold children back because studies show it hurts them socially, and they tend to drop out of high school if they are held back. And, she disagreed with the "policy" of advancing children even if they are struggling.

Okay, studies do not represent my kid. In fact, you researchers do not know my kid. Her father and I know her much better than a researcher. What happens to our child if she's advanced when we feel she's really not ready?

1. She's at the bottom tier in her class. Why is this a big deal? Because she believes she is "stupid" because all the other "stupid" kids are in that group. No, don't tell me that it isn't like that. I was a kid, I remember. No amount of politically correctness is going to convince her that she is not stupid.
2. She develops a distaste for school. She struggles to understand what is being taught. Then she is sent home with the very thing that she doesn't understand. Enter Mom and Dad into the picture to help her with the homework and it becomes a daily battle of the wills. A young child should be out playing with her friends, not stuck with homework for hours at a time.
3. If we feel she's "young" for her age, and we feel it will not harm her socially, then why can't we, her parents, make the decision? Why is it up to the school?

Yes, I do believe at a certain age, it probably isn't wise to hold a child back, but ultimately, it is MY decision. It is HER FATHER'S decision. It is not the decision of the almighty schools.

Educators, you want us involved? Gladly. But let us do our job as parents, too. I have nothing against Hannah's former teachers. In fact, they are pretty awesome. But, it is not them specifically with whom I have my beef. It's the system.

As a result, I pulled my daughter out of mainstream public education and put her in our local charter school. It is a Montessori school, and it has been really good for all of us. The educators do their job, they teach. They let the kids be kids (within reason of course). They teach to the child, not to the test. It is amazing what Hannah has come home and taught us about. And, they let the parents be what we are supposed to be. The parents.