Sorry Public Schools - Our Kids Deserve Better

How bad does the public school system have to be for us to admit that the system is broken? Who is willing to stand up and declare "The days of redirecting and shifting problems, while pretending that a great solution will miraculously appear is over. Let’s call it as it is. Public Education is inferior, bankrupt, and is a disservice to our children." How bad are we, as parents and community members, willing to let it get before we pull the plug.

I am not a radical looking to abolish education or the government. I would love to have a party, Republican or Democrat, pull up their big boy (or girl) pants and take ownership of education, think outside the box, and create a real solution. I honestly believe that those appointed to these powerful positions really do want to address the education crisis; the problem is the system in place will not let them. Leaders with the intention to do great things are handcuffed and bound by the ways of old. It is up to us. As a former educator and parent of two in the Eugene 4J school district, I am no longer willing to turn a blind eye and gleefully embrace parental ignorance when if comes to my children’s education.

The time is now. One may say that this massively flawed system is unchangeable and I agree. Instead of putting all of our money and efforts into finding a manageable solution of increased class sizes, budget cuts, and school closures I propose a radical new approach; Let’s treat education as if it is not an entitlement, but as household necessity. If the free education system provided to us is completely inadequate and is some cases not even safe for our children, than as a parent make a decision. If you do not like your child’s education chosen for them, then why don’t you choose it for yourself. Decide that if your government can not or will not make your child’s education a priority than you will.

I know that taking ownership of your child’s education is not possible for everyone. The idea that a parent that struggles to put food on the table should "buck up" and send their child to private school is absurd. I think that school vouchers is a valid answer. If a school is worried that no one will select their school than GOOD! Perhaps that school does not deserve our children. Parents would finally be heard when they state that their children should not be forced to attend that school because they are unfortunate enough to live within their claimed territory.

I do not claim to have the solution or imply that I have the answers. What I do know is the time is now. If there was ever the perfect moment to introduce a fresh structure of education, an efficient model for an American Classroom, and innovative method of teaching to improve performance, it is now. I foresee a great opportunity for parents to take an active role and provide exactly the education that you feel your children deserve.

Without students the current system will not exist. As a parent dedicated to my children’s education I choose to homeschool last year. Not because I wanted to, but because I didn't have a better choice. It is a shame that I send my daughter off to school every morning for a social education. My husband and I currently view school as purely a social skill building opportunity. Her academic education happens at home. From my understanding 4J receives $10,000 - $12,000 a year per student. If my student and 9 other students worked together and spent our combined $100,000 - $120,000 a year and hired our own teacher, choose to spend their education dollars on education tools relevant to them, and had a class size of 10, I dare you to tell me that those children would be at a disadvantage.

If parents banded together and came up with their own solutions, best for their children, without feeling obligated to use the current education system provided, change would happen. It would have to.  It is time for the public education system to realize that without students they simply will not exist. 4J has asked me to sacrifice my children’s education, essentially their future, for the sake of their program. As parents it is time to take a stand, enough is enough. Our children are not little walking fundraisers for their schools. It is time that we demand that our schools deserve our kids. It is our children’s right and our responsibility.