Comments on: "60 Minutes": 8 Reasons Why the Obama Girls Should Attend Public School http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/ Green and Natural Parenting for Eco-Friendly Families Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:34:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Government Budget Cuts: Time to Think Alternatively for Education http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6508 Government Budget Cuts: Time to Think Alternatively for Education Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:25:46 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6508 [...] can’t afford to send my children to an elite private school like the Obama’s, but I can give them a superior educational experience and help protect our precious planet (while [...] [...] can’t afford to send my children to an elite private school like the Obama’s, but I can give them a superior educational experience and help protect our precious planet (while [...]

]]> By: The Choice to Academically Undermine America’s Children | Jeannie-ology http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6507 The Choice to Academically Undermine America’s Children | Jeannie-ology Wed, 27 May 2009 17:29:08 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6507 [...] the aversion that both the “choice” President and his “right to choose” Congress have expressed for the voucher initiative, coupled together [...] [...] the aversion that both the “choice” President and his “right to choose” Congress have expressed for the voucher initiative, coupled together [...]

]]> By: Bonnie http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6488 Bonnie Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:02:58 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6488 Well, it's not as if we are a nation that truly cares about our children folks. After founding www.FamilyLawCourts.com in 2001, I have truly come to understand how much of a marketing tool they are. Have seen far too many cases of the apathy of neighbors who don't want to get involved, and whom allow this to continue, to have any hope for public schools. See the "Kids Killed" section. Ask yourself how many children of divorced parents do you step up for? Well, it’s not as if we are a nation that truly cares about our children folks.

After founding http://www.FamilyLawCourts.com in 2001, I have truly come to understand how much of a marketing tool they are.

Have seen far too many cases of the apathy of neighbors who don’t want to get involved, and whom allow this to continue, to have any hope for public schools.

See the “Kids Killed” section. Ask yourself how many children of divorced parents do you step up for?

]]> By: iris http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6494 iris Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:11:10 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6494 Are you nuts? i have lived in DC for several years and very well aware of the public school system. you are correct that Sasha and Malia would be exposed to every socioeconomic group and a wider group of children; however, that is not always good. These two children will be exposed to experiences the average child will never experience or understand. Exposure to a wider group may not be in the children's best interest. Sidwell understands security and the needs of high profile children. The public school system with overcrowding in the clasrooms, mainstreaming of emotionally disturbed kids, I truly beg to differ. It is unfortunate that public schools are in the mess they are in today and I understand that there are some good educations to be had in the public school, but the DC public school system is not the place for these two. Are you nuts? i have lived in DC for several years and very well aware of the public school system. you are correct that Sasha and Malia would be exposed to every socioeconomic group and a wider group of children; however, that is not always good. These two children will be exposed to experiences the average child will never experience or understand. Exposure to a wider group may not be in the children’s best interest. Sidwell understands security and the needs of high profile children. The public school system with overcrowding in the clasrooms, mainstreaming of emotionally disturbed kids, I truly beg to differ. It is unfortunate that public schools are in the mess they are in today and I understand that there are some good educations to be had in the public school, but the DC public school system is not the place for these two.

]]> By: Cocoa http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6506 Cocoa Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:25:56 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6506 As a parent i hope one day before my child become a teenager i can home school. I wouldn't advise anyone to public school there children. We see every day on the news the weirdest situation concerning public schools. As a parent i hope one day before my child become a teenager i can home school. I wouldn’t advise anyone to public school there children. We see every day on the news the weirdest situation concerning public schools.

]]> By: Clarissa http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6505 Clarissa Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:40:52 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6505 In response to "why is opinion of public schools so low," I have a four word response for you -- No Child Left Behind. Underfunded, overcrowded classrooms with teachers bogged down by excessive paperwork and teaching for tests instead of skills... In response to “why is opinion of public schools so low,” I have a four word response for you — No Child Left Behind. Underfunded, overcrowded classrooms with teachers bogged down by excessive paperwork and teaching for tests instead of skills…

]]> By: Crimson Wife http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6489 Crimson Wife Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:57:08 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6489 "What better way to improve a school system then to get involved in your own children’s education?" Except that these days parents realistically have minimal impact on how government-run schools are run. The real decision-making power is shared between the powerful teachers' unions and bureaucrats hundreds of miles away in the state capitol or thousands of miles away in D.C. I'd love to have the option of a co-op school where parents truly do have a significant impact on the way their children are educated. Unfortunately, there isn't one available to us so I've decided the best way to ensure my children receive the kind of education I want for them is homeschooling. “What better way to improve a school system then to get involved in your own children’s education?”

Except that these days parents realistically have minimal impact on how government-run schools are run. The real decision-making power is shared between the powerful teachers’ unions and bureaucrats hundreds of miles away in the state capitol or thousands of miles away in D.C.

I’d love to have the option of a co-op school where parents truly do have a significant impact on the way their children are educated. Unfortunately, there isn’t one available to us so I’ve decided the best way to ensure my children receive the kind of education I want for them is homeschooling.

]]> By: A Mama's Blog http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6504 A Mama's Blog Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:46:18 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6504 This is a very thought-provoking post. I read it a few days ago, and have been thinking about it. I think you do make an interesting case on the pro’s of public school, and do a nice job of debunking some of the myths about public school. I am really hesitant to send my boys to public school, mainly because I think there are too many problems in the public schools that are beyond the school and teacher's control, which will end up affecting the quality of education my sons receive. How can the teacher work with my sons’, if there are kids below grade level in the class that she/he needs to bring up to speed? Too often, the kids that are at grade level, or are doing “ok” do not have the attention of the teacher- they have to spend their time with the kids that are below level, or the kids that have issues. Throw in overcrowding, and it does not seem like it is a great formula for success. But, I think you have to take into account the school- every school is different. I have heard the public schools in D.C. are the worst in the nation , but on the other hand, there has to be good public schools in D.C. as well. We are moving to a town that is in our same school district, but the schools there are much better than where we currently are. We are going to try public school and see how it works out. I will not hesitate though, to pull my kids out, if their needs are not being met. I think every parent has that right-the Obamas included. In the end, parents have a responsibility to their children, to make sure they receive a quality education. It would have been nice to see the Obamas give public school a try, but it is their decision to make. Amy Carter is the last “first child” to attend public school- however the Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara did attend a public university- U. of Texas, but they were already enrolled there, when Bush took office. I can’t fault the Obamas for choosing what they feel is the best school for their daughters to attend- it isn’t really a surprise they picked a private school- the girls were in a private school as well in Chicago. The only thing I will have a problem with, is if the Obama administration takes the choice away from parents. He has said he is against vouchers, and that makes me a bit cynical. It is ok for his family to have the choice, but no one else? We’ll have to wait and see. This is a very thought-provoking post. I read it a few days ago, and have been thinking about it. I think you do make an interesting case on the pro’s of public school, and do a nice job of debunking some of the myths about public school.

I am really hesitant to send my boys to public school, mainly because I think there are too many problems in the public schools that are beyond the school and teacher’s control, which will end up affecting the quality of education my sons receive. How can the teacher work with my sons’, if there are kids below grade level in the class that she/he needs to bring up to speed? Too often, the kids that are at grade level, or are doing “ok” do not have the attention of the teacher- they have to spend their time with the kids that are below level, or the kids that have issues. Throw in overcrowding, and it does not seem like it is a great formula for success.

But, I think you have to take into account the school- every school is different. I have heard the public schools in D.C. are the worst in the nation , but on the other hand, there has to be good public schools in D.C. as well. We are moving to a town that is in our same school district, but the schools there are much better than where we currently are. We are going to try public school and see how it works out. I will not hesitate though, to pull my kids out, if their needs are not being met. I think every parent has that right-the Obamas included. In the end, parents have a responsibility to their children, to make sure they receive a quality education.

It would have been nice to see the Obamas give public school a try, but it is their decision to make. Amy Carter is the last “first child” to attend public school- however the Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara did attend a public university- U. of Texas, but they were already enrolled there, when Bush took office.

I can’t fault the Obamas for choosing what they feel is the best school for their daughters to attend- it isn’t really a surprise they picked a private school- the girls were in a private school as well in Chicago.

The only thing I will have a problem with, is if the Obama administration takes the choice away from parents. He has said he is against vouchers, and that makes me a bit cynical. It is ok for his family to have the choice, but no one else? We’ll have to wait and see.

]]> By: Clarissa http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6483 Clarissa Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:26:07 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6483 As a teacher in a public school I can't help but imagine the extra responsibilites the schools would be faced with. I believe that already overstressed inner city schools should not have the additional responsibility that comes with hosting the country's most famous children. Their specialization is not in public relations nor dealing with the special service and defending the privacy of not only the girls but whichever children befriend them from the prying media. Certainly, many schools would be up to the task if needed, but my point is that it shouldn't be asked of a school that is already struggling, as the public school system in DC certainly is. Many of those DC private schools are built around these logistical and legal issues for politician's children. Their smaller population and established policies were designed for the safety of girls like the Obama children. I think it's unfair of people to say the choice of private school is elitist. They need to consider the fact that other options are closed off to the girls without a great deal of effort on the part of people who might be better off serving children with higher needs. In other words, there is a way, but is it the best thing for all involved? I am sure the girls can be happy in any classroom full of professional and motivated teachers. But outside those four walls, it gets a lot tricker. As a teacher in a public school I can’t help but imagine the extra responsibilites the schools would be faced with. I believe that already overstressed inner city schools should not have the additional responsibility that comes with hosting the country’s most famous children. Their specialization is not in public relations nor dealing with the special service and defending the privacy of not only the girls but whichever children befriend them from the prying media. Certainly, many schools would be up to the task if needed, but my point is that it shouldn’t be asked of a school that is already struggling, as the public school system in DC certainly is.
Many of those DC private schools are built around these logistical and legal issues for politician’s children. Their smaller population and established policies were designed for the safety of girls like the Obama children. I think it’s unfair of people to say the choice of private school is elitist. They need to consider the fact that other options are closed off to the girls without a great deal of effort on the part of people who might be better off serving children with higher needs. In other words, there is a way, but is it the best thing for all involved? I am sure the girls can be happy in any classroom full of professional and motivated teachers. But outside those four walls, it gets a lot tricker.

]]> By: Jennifer Lance http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/17/8-reasons-why-the-obama-girls-should-attend-public-school/#comment-6503 Jennifer Lance Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:03:11 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=2096#comment-6503 Brenna, I think you simplified the argument well...but I still think that there is this assumption that public school would not be the best education for the girls. Why is there that assumption? Is public opinion of public schools that low? Brenna, I think you simplified the argument well…but I still think that there is this assumption that public school would not be the best education for the girls. Why is there that assumption? Is public opinion of public schools that low?

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