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Listening to Paul Finebaum this afternoon...a person called in to tout the achievements of his daughter who was one among many at a private school who had a 3.00 or better and he "was wondering why public schools did no better". I don't remember all of his blabbering but his point was that all public schools were going to the dogs and private schools were the way to go...would be nice...I suppose, but not all kids can afford such a luxury...if he had done some research he might have found out that Lauderdale County had 3 kids this past year who made the maximum on Standardized testing.....If they got it, why can't more..rhetorical question...I know there are many, many, variables. It just hit me that this guy was so far removed from facts...
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A kid who goes to a public school in this area can do very well academically if he/she is committed to studying diligently and doing the necessary work. All too many kids do neither. Part of the incentive to do that goes back to the home environment, as you undoubtedly know. My daughter has taught in a public high school in Georgia for 9 years and she and other teachers there grieve over the lackadaisical attitude of all too many parents. The highest achievers in their classes are inevitably the kids from homes where parents become a strong encouragement to the teaching/learning process, but alas, those homes are in the minority.

Kids sent to private schools, one would think, come disproportionately from homes where the parents provide a strong encouragement to learning; otherwise they would not be likely to shelling out private school tuition.
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Originally posted by beternU:
A kid who goes to a public school in this area can do very well academically if he/she is committed to studying diligently and doing the necessary work. All too many kids do neither. Part of the incentive to do that goes back to the home environment, as you undoubtedly know. My daughter has taught in a public high school in Georgia for 9 years and she and other teachers there grieve over the lackadaisical attitude of all too many parents. The highest achievers in their classes are inevitably the kids from homes where parents become a strong encouragement to the teaching/learning process, but alas, those homes are in the minority.

Kids sent to private schools, one would think, come disproportionately from homes where the parents provide a strong encouragement to learning; otherwise they would not be likely to shelling out private school tuition.


I'm more inclined to think that kids sent to private schools frequently come from homes where the parents want to keep their dear little primadonnas away from the evils of the "real world."
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Originally posted by lawguy07:
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Originally posted by beternU:
A kid who goes to a public school in this area can do very well academically if he/she is committed to studying diligently and doing the necessary work. All too many kids do neither. Part of the incentive to do that goes back to the home environment, as you undoubtedly know. My daughter has taught in a public high school in Georgia for 9 years and she and other teachers there grieve over the lackadaisical attitude of all too many parents. The highest achievers in their classes are inevitably the kids from homes where parents become a strong encouragement to the teaching/learning process, but alas, those homes are in the minority.

Kids sent to private schools, one would think, come disproportionately from homes where the parents provide a strong encouragement to learning; otherwise they would not be likely to shelling out private school tuition.


I'm more inclined to think that kids sent to private schools frequently come from homes where the parents want to keep their dear little primadonnas away from the evils of the "real world."


I think that parents who send their kids to private school are dissatisfied with the service the public school provides and are acting accordingly. I think we will continue to see growth in private schools and home schools. Unless school boards and administrators get their act together their enrollment will keep dropping.
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Originally posted by lawguy07:
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Originally posted by beternU:
A kid who goes to a public school in this area can do very well academically if he/she is committed to studying diligently and doing the necessary work. All too many kids do neither. Part of the incentive to do that goes back to the home environment, as you undoubtedly know. My daughter has taught in a public high school in Georgia for 9 years and she and other teachers there grieve over the lackadaisical attitude of all too many parents. The highest achievers in their classes are inevitably the kids from homes where parents become a strong encouragement to the teaching/learning process, but alas, those homes are in the minority.

Kids sent to private schools, one would think, come disproportionately from homes where the parents provide a strong encouragement to learning; otherwise they would not be likely to shelling out private school tuition.


I'm more inclined to think that kids sent to private schools frequently come from homes where the parents want to keep their dear little primadonnas away from the evils of the "real world."
.......YES, to both posts!
For one maybe Private Schools are gaining in popularity or are popular because they will teach subjects that parents want they children to be able to take such as Bible, or hear another side of how we got here other than evolution. Most private schools are religious in nature and have standards that they teach that public schools often don't emphasize. Additionally private schools aren't ruled by the Teacher's Union. There are many reasons that Private schools do good but one is that they are doing a good job. The real question is why are public schools and the teacher's unions so afraid to allow vouchers and open competition.

Possibly they (private schools) also teach Civics and the Constitution and concentrate on items more people feel are more important than teaching about rap music's effect on America and prefer the curriculum chosen by private schools that aren't restricted and determined by the government.

Could be many reasons but yes some public schools do a great job preparing students for college but if money weren't an issue and private schools could compete openly against public schools I think the kids would be winners for it.
I think there is so much truth in the perspective that economics plays such a huge part in the educational development of a child..It has been offered and I believe it's true...the lower the economic status of a child, the poorer the grades. In an ideal situation, economic status should have no bearing on the educational process of a child. At one time, it did not. In my opinion, this is just the beginning of the ever-widening gap between the haves and the have-nots. If all who could afford it, sent their kids to private schools, what would be the make-up of public schools? This is an area noone seems to want to address. In my humble opinion, after 30 years in the public school system, I do not believe there is a cure for what ails us...
Last edited by barbaros45
FYI --

Enrollment at several, if not all, private schools was way down in the 2009-2010 school year. We were overrun with students from two private schools. Every parent with whom I spoke was amazed at the superiority of our curricular offernings, well-trained teachers, facilities, and extracurricular activities. Most said they wish they'd made the move several years before.
quote:
Originally posted by barbaros45:
Listening to Paul Finebaum this afternoon...a person called in to tout the achievements of his daughter who was one among many at a private school who had a 3.00 or better and he "was wondering why public schools did no better". I don't remember all of his blabbering but his point was that all public schools were going to the dogs and private schools were the way to go...would be nice...I suppose, but not all kids can afford such a luxury...if he had done some research he might have found out that Lauderdale County had 3 kids this past year who made the maximum on Standardized testing.....If they got it, why can't more..rhetorical question...I know there are many, many, variables. It just hit me that this guy was so far removed from facts...


Lauderdale county school curriculum is based on the state minimums. I know I checked into moving my daughter from one county school to another based on the level she was being taught in 3rd grade. The math was at a level that my daughter was doing at home while she was in 1st grade. Sadly i found out that all county schools teach the minimum state standards. These kids scoring max scores didn't get it at school, they got it at home. Unfortunately the school has to dumb down the curriculum to the majority of students.
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Originally posted by ferrellj:
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Originally posted by barbaros45:
Listening to Paul Finebaum this afternoon...a person called in to tout the achievements of his daughter who was one among many at a private school who had a 3.00 or better and he "was wondering why public schools did no better". I don't remember all of his blabbering but his point was that all public schools were going to the dogs and private schools were the way to go...would be nice...I suppose, but not all kids can afford such a luxury...if he had done some research he might have found out that Lauderdale County had 3 kids this past year who made the maximum on Standardized testing.....If they got it, why can't more..rhetorical question...I know there are many, many, variables. It just hit me that this guy was so far removed from facts...


Lauderdale county school curriculum is based on the state minimums. I know I checked into moving my daughter from one county school to another based on the level she was being taught in 3rd grade. The math was at a level that my daughter was doing at home while she was in 1st grade. Sadly i found out that all county schools teach the minimum state standards. These kids scoring max scores didn't get it at school, they got it at home. Unfortunately the school has to dumb down the curriculum to the majority of students.


Have to agree with you on this. And that dumbed-down curriculum goes hand in hand with dumbed-down standards for assessing student progress. More and more, the home environment is becoming a prime determinant of whether a kid will graduate from high school with the competence to do well either in college or in some technical school or other vocational training.
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Originally posted by ferrellj:
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Originally posted by barbaros45:
Listening to Paul Finebaum this afternoon...a person called in to tout the achievements of his daughter who was one among many at a private school who had a 3.00 or better and he "was wondering why public schools did no better". I don't remember all of his blabbering but his point was that all public schools were going to the dogs and private schools were the way to go...would be nice...I suppose, but not all kids can afford such a luxury...if he had done some research he might have found out that Lauderdale County had 3 kids this past year who made the maximum on Standardized testing.....If they got it, why can't more..rhetorical question...I know there are many, many, variables. It just hit me that this guy was so far removed from facts...


Lauderdale county school curriculum is based on the state minimums. I know I checked into moving my daughter from one county school to another based on the level she was being taught in 3rd grade. The math was at a level that my daughter was doing at home while she was in 1st grade. Sadly i found out that all county schools teach the minimum state standards. These kids scoring max scores didn't get it at school, they got it at home. Unfortunately the school has to dumb down the curriculum to the majority of students.


I have personal experience with this one as well. I attended 1st and 2nd grade at a local private Bible School. The summer before my 3rd grade year, there was an opening at a local Laboratory school associated with UNA and my parents gave me the choice and I chose to leave the bible school and go to the Lab school. I spent my whole 3rd grade year bored because I had already learned everything in 2nd grade. Then when I had to change schools again in 7th grade (the Lab school only went to 6th grade) and went to a Lauderdale County School I spent my whole 7th grade year bored because I had already learned everything in 6th grade!! So the Bible School was ahead of the Lab school that was a head of the Lauderdale County School!!!!! Roll Eyes Of course that was several years ago, I've been out of high school over 10 years so things might be better now.
quote:
Originally posted by barbaros45:
I think there is so much truth in the perspective that economics plays such a huge part in the educational development of a child..It has been offered and I believe it's true...the lower the economic status of a child, the poorer the grades. In an ideal situation, economic status should have no bearing on the educational process of a child. At one time, it did not. In my opinion, this is just the beginning of the ever-widening gap between the haves and the have-nots. If all who could afford it, sent their kids to private schools, what would be the make-up of public schools? This is an area noone seems to want to address. In my humble opinion, after 30 years in the public school system, I do not believe there is a cure for what ails us...


I believe you make an excellent point, regrettably. While economic status seems to be more of a factor today I think a lot goes back to the home, the Parents. In homes of low economic status it's possible (just possible now) that parents don't spend as much quality time teaching, reinforcing and monitoring what their child is taught. Parents in lower economic status homes possibly don't even care what the schools are teaching and rely upon the schools and teachers to do jobs or the work that years ago was assumed by the parent.

By virtue of their economic investment, in Private schools, it's possible that parents are taking more an interest in what is taught and presented to their child because they want to make sure they are getting their money's worth. In the Public arena this isn't always the case.

I believe there are many high quality and good public schools but by virtue of the Governments intervention and the Union's rigid control that certain incentives to excel just isn't there and where you do have great public schools you have it because of exceptional public employees and parents that take an interest in the child's education and in their public school.

Just my opinion.
Private school parents feel more ownership in the school, and are allowed more access. Private schools couldn't function without parent volunteers.

If public school parents would realize that they are paying customers the same as private school parents (who, ironically, are also paying for the public schools) and demand their money's worth, public schools would be as good as private.

Public school administrators are under utilizing the great asset of parental involvement. Make them welcome!

I believe that if a school has a good principal and involved parents, everything will go well with that school. Kids are the same everywhere, and teachers respond to good leadership and support from parents.
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Originally posted by BamaGirl82:

I have personal experience with this one as well. I attended 1st and 2nd grade at a local private Bible School. The summer before my 3rd grade year, there was an opening at a local Laboratory school associated with UNA and my parents gave me the choice and I chose to leave the bible school and go to the Lab school. I spent my whole 3rd grade year bored because I had already learned everything in 2nd grade. Then when I had to change schools again in 7th grade (the Lab school only went to 6th grade) and went to a Lauderdale County School I spent my whole 7th grade year bored because I had already learned everything in 6th grade!! So the Bible School was ahead of the Lab school that was a head of the Lauderdale County School!!!!! Roll Eyes Of course that was several years ago, I've been out of high school over 10 years so things might be better now.



BamaGirl, I am sure you and I attended the same school, only I stayed at the Bible School until changing to a city school in 9th grade. My Junior year, we were studying literature that I had learned in 7th grade at the Bible School and there were several other areas in which the Bible School excelled. I gained 10 lbs after changing schools b/c we sat on the bleachers eating chips at my public school whereas at the Bible School, we stretched, did light aerobics, ran, then completed weight-training. There was no comparison.
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Enrollment at several, if not all, private schools was way down in the 2009-2010 school year



No,not all- St. Joseph is soaring- there is a waiting list, for the first time in many years. I do know that Riverhill got pounded last year-but now they have new administrator so maybe they'll get back on track.
I don't think the choice of school is what makes the difference- I think it's parental involvement, encouragement and developing good skills from an early age. A child could do well in any environment, given the right tools.
My parents struggled for 15 years financially to put my 2 sisters and myself through Catholic grade school and high school. I got a very good education with relatively small classes and the feeling that I was known and cared for by all of the faculty and students. I really enjoyed my experience in private school.

My wife teaches at a public school and I do believe that the educational opportunities offered are just as good as their private counterpart.

The main differences between public and private schools, in my opinion, is the fact that the parents of kids in private schools are more involved overall due to the financial investment they are making in the childrens' future. It makes sense that people don't want to throw money down the drain. The other difference I see is the fact that private schools are much leaner and flexible when it comes to faculty and staff. I can give several examples of the financial waste my wife sees on a daily basis. Also, due to tenure laws, some lower quality teachers can slip through the cracks. My wife has several examples of that happening as well.

Overall, from a parent's perspective, I have no problem sending my kid to either school since I stay involved.
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Originally posted by beadcutterbytrade:
BTW, lawguy, my attendance had nothing to do with avoiding "the real world." My parents were blue-collar folks who really couldn't afford the tuition but did without other luxuries so I could receive a quality education and a solid foundation for my life. Wink


I know my previous comment doesn't apply to everyone. There are some good, middle class people that just want their kids to have the benefit of a private school education. In fact, I know at least one person that was in danger of losing their house but wouldn't consider taking the kid out of private school. Not exactly what I would have done, but to each his own.
My name is Sally or Sam. My dad came in last night, drunk again. He cursed us all, beat my mother, and slapped my five year old sister when she tried to intervene. We are afraid of him. Sometimes I come to school dirty because my mother did not have the energy- or maybe the motivation- after "night" to make sure I was clean and shiny. When I am not getting school provided food, I sometimes have all carbs or nothing . We have achievement tests this morning. Do you think I will do as well as Dr. Whoever's child? I try hard, but I still have lots of trouble learning. This is an example ofhe situations encountered when I retired in 1992. Do you think it has gotten any better? Forgive any typos. I am pretty emotional remembering.

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