What happened to candy and magazines?!

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Sounds like your school was the exception to the rule. Don't judge all public schools by that insanity.

Most of my objections are fairly well represented out there in the world. Teaching to the standardized test, "mainstreaming" gifted students, schools paralyzed by unruly students whose parents won't discipline them and threaten lawsuits should the school try, revisionist doctrine throughout the humanities, school-sponsored caste systems, and so forth.

Don't misunderstand me -- I support the public school system, vote for levys (and yes, I do pay property taxes), and not all of my public school system encounters sucked. Jr high blew big meaty chunks, but I had some absolutely excellent teachers in high school and my 5th/6th grade teacher was particularly influential -- without a doubt the one person, aside from my parents, that's most responsible for shaping my mind. There are amazing teachers out there doing their damndest and giving all they have to "their kids."

And if the public schools in my area when I have school-age kids are good, maybe the kids will go there. But I'm working hard now so that I can provide them with best education I can find and that's what they'll get -- whether public, private or at home. If I popped out a 6 year old right now -- the best option would be home schooling.

And then an exciting write-up in JAMA for birthing a 6 year old.

Would you like to buy a subscription to JAMA?