Reply #33: Does the district your children attend have these problems? [View All]

"Ours" does not have a large problem with these issues. Are your children behind in math and science .... mine are not. My 11th grader is ranked third in her class (of 359), she is taking both organic and bio chemistry at a state university this summer .... she is doing things with calculus I didn't even consider until I was in my second year of college. My eighth grader does not do quite as well .... probably that pesky degenerative eye disease he has. (The eldest graduated in the top 5% of his class of ~300). All are viewed by society in general as attractive charming people (I point out that this is simply the convergence of genetics and societal norms). Should I mention I'm a single working mother.

Instead of patting myself on the back I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to keep my children sheltered and nourished .... that we are able to live in a safe neighborhood. I am grateful that I was able to attend a good university. I am grateful for "good" genes.

The problems in our education system are largely found in our inner cities and poor rural areas ... these problems have been around since the beginnings of public education. The problems are with the disadvantages many children have throughout their childhoods.

As a society we all share part of the blame .... there are sh*tty teachers out there .... there are sh*tty parents out there ... sadly, there are parents that may not have adequate intellect .... there are kids that are just plain @ss-holes .... there always will be, its the nature of dealing with humans.

The problems are cultural (in the US there is a general current of anti-intellectualism) and socio-economic .... parents desperately trying to keep their children adequately fed, sheltered and physically safe really don't have the same concerns as you.

I am not nearly as self congratulatory as you ... I am grateful that I have had the opportunities I have had (and have been able to share with my children). Luck has a lot to do with it.

edit: I should have spell checked prior to posting