Education cannot be separated from the rest of life. It is learned from life. It applies to life. It is social.
Yet, for some reason, people are surprised when schools “butt” into the lives of students.
Given the nature of education itself, how can they not?
Instead of wasting energy being indignant over government-funded schools “overstepping boundaries”, why not entrust your children’s privacy and welfare to a scholastic institution with whom you agree and who shares your same values?
Because seriously, has the money and freedom to just do that.
The woman in the FRK story is a single mother with no car. You think she’s in any state to start school shopping and paying for a private school, even if it might better share her values? Let alone move somewhere else in the country – there aren’t a lot of school sufficiently alternative to be going against this sort of mass trend (the emphasis on driving).
Some people are just trying to get by.
Schools should pay attention to the lives of students. When they are in school. Or, as concerned adults, if they seem in genuine danger outside of school (but that’s a social services report, not rules about home).
Schools are publicly funded. It isn’t a waste of energy to expect them to hold a standard.
ugh.. ‘not everyone’ belongs before ‘has the money and freedom”
Kai,
It is impossible for schools, regardless of type, not to be concerned about their students’ lives if they care about the holistic education and well-being of those in their care. This is a GOOD standard to have.
Schools work together with social services. If a child is suspected of being abused, guess who gets called? Guess who acts as credible witnesses when there is a case having to do with the welfare of a child — the child’s teachers and principal. This is why it’s important to have similar values to those who are entrusted with your child’s care during the school week. You want to be represented truthfully, not in an exaggerated way.
The same is true for selecting a pediatrician.
Being as I grew up on welfare while my dad was unemployed for a number of years, and my mom still homeschooled us, I think there is always a way to choose your child’s education.
Given my experience, I am very reluctant to buy into the poverty argument on a number of topics. There is always a way to be creative, to rise above, to find a way. You just have to get your elbows a little dirtier than those who can achieve with money instead of effort. It can be done!
You might really apply yourself to meet requirements, but many private schools have financial-need based scholarships. It took writing a killer essay and keeping my grades above a 3.5, but I went to a private university for free on such a scholarship. Just sayin’.
Thanks for your comment!
SJA
.-= Sarah Joy Albrecht´s last blog ..Why Are Christians So …? =-.
Well, as the source of all that is evil and wrong in American society (e.g. a public school teacher), I heartily concur with you.
Besides, parents should stop complaining about schools “butting” into their lives, as the only reason they are is because we have to deal with the consequences of a society-wide lack of decent parenting on a daily basis. If our students don’t even have parents who want to care about them, who else will?
The concept of me being the closest thing to a proper father figure in a large number of my students’ lives makes me literally sick at times.
.-= Loren C. Klein´s last blog ..Goodbye, Video Games =-.