Reply #76: hmm...

[chervilant]

Clearly, you are not just an average guy. You obliquely identify the PRIMARY factor in the academic success of any child--the parents.

Four years ago, I left mortgage lending to become a teacher. The VAST MAJORITY of the parents with whom I've interacted are either completely uninvolved in their child's education, or they are undocumented workers with limited English, afraid to address any problems at their schools for fear of deportation.

Then, there are the parents who assert, "Why are you calling me? When he's at school, he's YOUR problem, not mine!" Really, there are no words to describe how frustrating is that sort of parent.

I find many of my veteran teachers to be truly remarkable people--working diligently to imbue their students with a love of learning, and encouraging them to celebrate their academic successes. My experience with administrators has not been as positive, probably because they get squeezed hard by NCLB, and the ridiculous standardized testing that remains uncorrelated with academic success.

The Corporate Megalomaniacs have been chipping away at our system of public education (again, NCLB--need I say more?). They want a work force for the service industries, factories, and menial jobs that pay little and offer marginal benefits. That way, they can insure that the majority of the profits go in their pockets. If we don't address this inequity, the charter school issue will remain a big boil on the backside of public education.