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Originally Posted by Prudence
This assumes that the school is open to accepting the help you feel is needed. Your PTA wanted to support an art teacher and the school accepted that help. What if the school had said "we don't want to include art in our curriculum. Any donated PTA monies will be used to fund our pilot underwater basketweaving program"?
Wendy already mentioned Washington's obsession with the WASL. I certainly can't speak for all school districts, but I know local parents who have not been permitted to contribute additional enrichment activities because the school is all WASL, all the time, and will not devote space or time to non-WASL activities. (Goodness knows competent people graduated prior to the creation of the mighty WASL - why not try employing some of THOSE techniques? But that's a rant for another day.)
If I had children and lived where I do now and could not find a private school I found suitable, I would absolutely home school. I think they should have certain skills upon graduation, and receive a well-rounded education, but I want that education to be the goal, not passing the great and mighty WASL. Until the local public schools are freed to follow a similar goal, I wouldn't send my kids there.
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Thank you , Pru.
The WASL is a monstrous waste of time, resources and talent. It forces teachers to teach to the test, to the detriment of all other disciplines. That means very little to no art, geography, music, foreign language, etc. It's an incredibly high-stakes test created by a for-profit corporation and it's ruining our schools.
As far as changing things from within: fine, if you're into quixotic pursuits. I hope you enjoy bumping heads and egos with suburban soccer moms hopped up on Starbucks. Our PTO was a flippin' Peyton Place, and I have no tolerance for that kind of merde. It's not something I can even adequately describe- anyone who doubts will just have to experience it for themselves. Did it for two years and regret every second of it.