We don't need prayer in school nor do we need religion. That is the very reason this world is so screwed up. We need common sense. Enough with the fairy tales lets tell our children the truth we don't know nothing. Common sense in schools and common sense in life that is what we need.

Now THAT was well put, Pam - this is absolutely the reason why prayer inside of (and outside of) public schools is not only needed but required! My wife and I chose not to have our children educated in an atmosphere saturated with every sin of the mind/body/spirit; our precious kids will be forced to deal with the results of the public school system's effects on their peers soon enough: when they enter the wonderful world of adulthood in the public workplace, as we did! So what's the trade-off for being members of the public schools opt-out ("choice") program? In Ohio, we are forced to pay income taxes at a number of levels (including a 1% income tax directly to the school district) to support the public school system, in addition to paying for private school tuition. Do we have any regrets? That's an easy one: after observing our kids' peers lives and the families of our friends and immediate family who didn't choose this narrow path, we would absolutely do it again, without a thought! Our kids are the most precious and valuable things in our lives; someday, we'll leave everything behind and in their hands. It's with that thought that we are thankful that we even have the opportunity to make the sacrifices that we've made. Money is what it is...but Time is the ONLY truly limited resource.

The government often intervenes in situations when/where the private sector creates a monopoly, but not when it does so itself. The rationale for intervention still applies, only no intervention.

The only solution for improvement is school choice. In it, the private sector competes for the right/privelege to educate ALL students (customers) in a given area. The same way any business does. The funding can still be public, but if a parent does not like the offerings of one provider, it can simply redirect the money to another provider. Good providers will prevail, lesser will fail. When have you ever heard of that in the public sector?

I believe in meritocracy, and unions do not. They pursue the best interests of the members. That is what they are supposed to do. But the constituency in the current system is off kilter. It will not be rectified until we give parents the ability and responsibility to vote with their feet, and dollar.

For more information, visit and support http://www.FriedmanFoundation.org (I do.)

Yet, just a few days ago in our community, an elementary school child found what appeared to be a handgun, threatened to shoot another child, and the school authorities told parents they werent' sure if it was a handgun, it felt heavy, and they threw it in the trash and gave the threatening child a 3-day, inschool suspension. The thought process maddens me! They didn't want the parents to be upset before kindergarden roundup! So, no investigation as to where the gun actually came from, if it was lethal, child safety ....

take a look at pam's post...well said pam. that's just a snipet of a teacher's morning....lol

clark...i'm still waiting for your report.

The purpose of public schools is to educate. The only way to educate is to protect teachers from politics, which means unions. Non-union teachers can be fired at any whim. Under Bush, evolution science teachers would have been fired. Under Obama, global warming non-believer teachers would be fired.

All I can say is "AMEN!" to everything you said!! I long for the day when good sense returns to our schools!

Unfortunately the perception for most is that the school system exists simply as a benefits package of the unions. You cannot get rid of bad teachers and so good teachers are painted with that same broad brush. Many in government send their children to private schools but want to refuse poor children the opportunity to have that same kind of education. Our schools have become propaganda machines for the unions and the politicians and bureaucrats-to me that is the soviet-type influence Clark is referring to. We continue to lose good teachers because they are all considered the same-clearly a "soviet" ism. When standards are lowered so the teachers and the schools meet their requirements we have a problem. And it is a problem that money has not been solving for years and years and years.

I agree that parents are the problem in many cases. I taught is a private school and I have friends who teach in public schools and the problems usually stem from parents who don't teach their children discipline and respect and who defend their children when the children misbehave and break the rules. Yes, there are a few bad apples out there but for the most part teachers do the best with the pitiful amount of money, resources and authority they are given. That's why we made the decision to home school. If we ever do send our kids to school, though, we will be very involved and supportive of our children's teachers.

This is an incorrect and inappropriate analogy.

In the Soviet Union there was no representative government. In the US we elect our governmental representatives and usually our local school board.

Complain about the quality of our schools, but do it in a more honorable manner.

Lots of complaints about government running our schools, but I though WE were supposed to be the government. Many of the silly things you hear about at schools are due to following silly laws that are passed either by the legislature (who we elect), or the school board (who we elect).
Private schools are not the only answer, since they play by different rules. Remember that private schools chose who they accept. Public schools take everyone else. Private schools, for the most part have parents who really care about education, and this transfers to their kids. Public schools don't always have that luxury.

If they spent more time with their kids doing homework, reading or other educational and less time running down the teachers, running to sporting events, and sitting in front of the TV, maybe the school system would revert to what it was in the '50 in Ohio when I was in school - decent, respective students and parents who knew where their children were and what they were doing.

Pam,That was well put.I once told a teacher she & all other teachers were God's gift to children.I still believe that.Teacher's have way to much responsibilty for the monies they make.
I wish we could all buy a robot to do our work for us!!!!!!!1

Kaitlyn, I think our thoughts are similar,I just ran out of time writing.
I agree teachers should be paid more to attract the best minds.A lot of kids that come to school are poverty stricken & come from broken homes.
I also think that kids that do come from a bad economic situation, that the parents should be rewarded somehow if there kids make good grades & teacher has positive comments about hygenes etc...!t
Of course that would open up another can of worms!! We as a nation have got to come up with fresh ideas.We have to get the graduation percecentage for high schoolers up.I was taught where there is a will there is a way,but when a kid comes home & his mom & dad are having shouting matches(usually over money)its hard for the kid to get excited about anything! What are your thoughts Kaitlyn?

Then quit whining, get off your duff, do something positive and run for the School Board.

The majority of people that want only govt. schools are the people that work there. Last year after my eleven year old daughter was refused permission twice to use the restroom and couldn t hold it that was the final straw, now we home school her and she is just fine with that. I want her to grow up knowing why this country was formed and the constitution, she wasn t getting that in govt. schools. I wouldn t want to work where the only reason I have a job is because the govt. fights vouchers. Socialists have taken over most of the govt. but freedom minded capitolists will change it back, vote, vote,vote for the good of our great nation.

My second grader came home one day and asked me if I thought "nincompoop" was a bad word. I said, "No, it's a silly word, but I don't think it's bad." A few minutes later she burst into tears and told me she had teased one of her friends on the playground by calling her a nincompoop (and others were doing it to), and she was threatened with being reported to her teachers because of it. This was apparently considered "hate language". The really bad part of all of this is my daughter, the next day, showed me where she had read the word in one of her classroom books! Zero tolerance to the extreme!

One more thing. If my daughter has a cough, she must take her cough drops to the nurse so that she can "administer" the medicine. What?

Well said once again, Clark. Now if only the people in charge would listne!

The Teacher
Qualifications and Responsibilities
After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said: "Let me see if I've got this right.
You want me to go into that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning.
And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits. You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem.
You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job. I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student employment and scholarships, encourage respect for the cultural diversity of others, and oh, make sure that I give the girls in my class fifty percent of my attention.
My contract requires me to work on my own time after school, evenings and weekends grading papers. Also, I must spend my summer vacation at my own expense working toward advance certification and a Masters degree. And on my own time you want me to attend committee and faculty meetings, PTA meetings, and participate in staff development training. I am to be a paragon of virtue, larger than life, such that my very presence will awe my students into being obedient and respectful of authority. And I am to pledge allegiance to family values and the current administration. You want me to incorporate technology into the learning experience, monitor web sites, and relate personally with each student.
That includes deciding who might be potentially dangerous and/or liable to commit a crime in school. I am to make sure all students pass the mandatory state exams, even those who don't come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments. Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap. And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card. All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps! You want me to do all of this and yet you expect me.
. . . NOT TO PRAY?"
Who would ever want a job where you are expected to do so much with so little appreciation. God bless all teachers, even the bad ones.

I think not! Clark should stick to consumer issues and avoid educational matters! While the Arizona strip search and the birth control pill controversies are disgusting, schools educate and do a remarkably good job, both public and private. With the outlandish costs of health care and higher education, and the reprehensible fee-gouging facing credit card consumers, Clark's focus is better placed in other arenas!

Come on, Clark - Stalin? You should be a little more cautious in your historical allusions! Stalin was a bloodthirsty dictator who was responsible for the executions of at least 700,000 innocent people, among other countless depravities. If he did not accomplish quite as much evil as Hitler, it was not for lack of trying. It is absurd to associate our public school systems, however flawed, with such a man. Let's keep the debate rational.

After having my son in public school for k & 1st grade, I went back to work to put him in private school. He is doing great and we LOVE it!

This stuff comes from administrator/educrat types. I teach in a public school and am fed up with people who think they're education experts because--guess what?--they went to school! If you want better schools, give us better students.

In our school district, kids are banned from the prom if they have a failing grade in any class the week prior to prom. Not to mention the student already has limo reservations, dress (or tux), etc. It's not like the kids are staying home to "study". They don't even look at overall GPA just that particular week. I think schools have forgotten who is "supporting" them through taxes, etc.

Add to the Government monopoly control the teacher's union opposition to vouchers.

Students and teachers! "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark" Carl Sagan. Why don't we all grow up?

The government education system is a glorified 12-year (and plus) "baby-sitting" and social-engineering system more than an educational system. As a general rule, a parent does not expect other people to feed, shelter, clothe, provide health care, provide religious education, or provide piano/dance lessons to his/her children; educational services should be no different. People who choose to become parents should be the ones to bear the primary burden of having their children educated. And -- people who homeschool or privately educate their children (as well as those without children) should not be coerced by taxation to financially support a "public" school system from which they derive no direct benefit. Ideally, there should be separation of school and state.

Yes, it is true that a voucher system allows money to go to schools that teach a system of morality. However, the PARENTS choose the school, so obviously they are not offended by what the school is teaching. If parents are offended by religion, they can start their own private school--or they can leave their kids in the failing public ones. Also, is it a coincidence that the vast majority of private schools that are doing a better job than the public ones are also the ones that teach morality along with the academic subjects? I think not!

As an educator for over 30 years, I am here to tell you that "poverty mentality" and learned helplessness cause the gap between the socioeconomic classes to widen daily. We also, in my opinion, have a new generation of high school students today that are not motivated to learn because their collective parents have abdicated their role in raising children to be responsible, caring citizens and life-long learners. A generation of idiots has raised a second generation of idiots.

We need to ask ourselves, why are other countries blowing us away at academics? Do we focus too much on sports and clubs? Spend too much money on extravagant buildings and equipment. We need to teach children to think for themselves, not be spoon feed forever. What a concept, not to believe everything you hear in school. Parents are responsible for their child and their education, not the Federal Government. Don't be so open-minded that your brain falls out.

I'm 62. My entire education was courtesy of public schools from first grade through high school. It prepared me for career success including running my own business. The quality of education isn't necessarily compromised by having common curriculum and standards.Parents and students customized the basic generic education planlocally by fundraising and volunteering. So did the kids.One chose a school by "choosing" where one bought a home. If the houses in your neighborhood were "better" those schools functioned well.Schools in poor neighborhoods had the same problems that Clark complains about.Schools have always been stratified by the economic class of the parents and the neighborhood.



The social problems associated with the "poor" schools transferred along with the kids from those schools when busing and quotas began crossing neighborhood lines, and instead of dealing effectively with the problems that also transferred, their response has been to run away . Vouchers are another form of running away.



Perhaps this is progress, because you no longer need to buy an expensive house in order to get in the queue for a good school.
We can break the cycle by directly confronting and dealing with the underlying causes of the behavior problems through programs such as AVP (Alternatives to Violence).

kindergarten at a new school in Cobb Co, expected his teacher to teach him to read. I read to him, but wasn't a teacher. Things seemed crazy, like writing without knowing how and not correcting misspellings. 1st grade he wasn't getting it. Questioned teachers: Whole Language. End of 1st still couldn't read, but teachers said he'll get it. helped him at home with books they provided. 2nd teacher said, A problem, He has a disability! Agreed, not knowing how to read is a big handicap. Spent hours helping with homework. Next Sylvan, after a full day. No good. Requested homework he could accomplish and feel good about, because I had already gone to school and didn't need the homework. Teacher didn't comply. Was startled to find out others having similar problems. Resource suggested. I shuddered to think what effect being labeled the rest of his school days would have. Finally, investigated Whole Language: had been a failure in California in '70s, many of his problems common among students. Found small private school with a strict phonics program, the same way I had learned, pulled him out of 2nd grade in public school and placed in last half of 1st grade at Shreiner Academy. He has never had any more problems with school or reading, continues to read ahead of grade level, and is now a 17-year-old in honors classes; will attend Gov's School of Arts (not in Georgia) and has bright future. Schools like to defend the latest reading strategies (my sister is teacher) Two things I believe having gone through this: teach phonics systematically (fat cat sat on the rat) not just randomly as things come up (whole Language) 7 is best starting age for students. Country with highest literacy rate in the world starts students at 7. Our country's literacy rate was higher when 1st grade was first year of school. Teach as young as you like, (why not pick them up as newborns from the hospital and have pre-pre-pre K?) but most are not ready until about age 7. meanwhile they're burnt out and set up to feel like failures before they're 8, more so for boys who developmentally tend to be 2 years behind girls. Child psychologist told me there is almost no risk to being the oldest in your grade, but a 50percent higher risk for problems if you are the youngest. By not having pre-K funds could be spent for more 1st grade classes with fewer students-to-teacher ratiss and could help turn public schools around. A great reading program along with math should be sole concentration in 1st grade. Nothing else happens if you can't read. Just my opinion, but then I'm not a teacher or administrator. just a liberal, college-educated, single mother. Every child deserves a chance. let's stop attacking and name calling and try to figure this out.

I agree that schools in the United States need the country's attention. Throwing more money at the teachers union to spend it as they please is not the answer. These no-common-sense zero tolerance policies are foolish - we should be teaching children to use their brains, as teachers and administrators should be doing with these types of policies. Thanks for brining up the topic, Clark. Maybe things will change some day.

LOL / In the Chino valley, AZ school system they just lowered the number so more kids could pass. LOL / what joke!

Up to now, you are usually on target. The zero tolerance problems "have" gone too far, but your vouchers, to deal with the education that set up this country for "greatness, with private education for those that want it has worked well. Talking about "Soviet" style education etc. is beyond where you should be, and get the respect you would want. The educational community has to deal with society as it comes to them. Let's work on the morality, and ethics for families, and a lot more education will take place. Don't destroy the "public Schools." The privatization of education is exactly where you don't want to be, in your line of work, giving advice. Check the last education secretary and see hoe "no Child left Behind was designed to help destroy the public schoolk, and capitalize and privatize the public schools. Vouchers merely segregate out children and leave the poorest of the poor back in the poor neighborhoods. There needs to be greater support for all children, where you find them. Come on Clark, don't be an elitist at this stage in your growth and development.

So many of the comments offered showed me (if no one else) that schooling is needed badly. Go ahead and read everything offered. The atrocious grammar and spelling tells me that the ones who complain the most are the ones who need schooling the most. Are you paying attention to the writing? It is telling you a lot. Yes, but who is going to do the teaching? That's the $64,000 question.

This is exactly the reason why we as parents should be supporting organizations such as parentalrights.org which is currently seeking to promote legislation that will ensure that the parental authority is recognized above that of government, that parents still get to make the best choices for their children vs. those that the government or UN would mandate for them (which is what we are headed for currently). Children are not bred for a government!

Of the 3 incidents cited in the writeup, none are related to the quality of the education being received. To conclude that lack of school choice is what caused these 3 isolated incidents is preposterous. These incidents could have occured in any school, public or private. The only way to prevent these specific incidents would have been through home schooling.

I'm not blind to the issues our public schools face (or the ones the system creates either) but arguments against the current system based on the info above make no sense.

I think the government should pour monies into our school system, starting from kindergarten on up.Upgrading all schools with the best technology & even appearance. Make the schools so invitable that kids actually look forward to going to school. Make the schools sort of like a winter wonderland.It's very important that our kids grow up being honest, responsible & loving there parents.
The key to our countries success lies in how we develop our schools for the future.Kids need a blueprint shown to them at an early age of what there life will be like if they take certain steps.They need to be shown what the rewards are in life by being disciplined. I don't know how to incorporate this into the masses unless the networks came up with a must see program that teachers could promote with parents & children.

We homeschool, we waited until we could afford it.

Like many things if you want it done right do it yourself.

To many things are done to protect the children, folks mean well but when you add it all together you get what we have now.

Keep them home give up the free daycare.

TANSTAAFL

Just stop and think, why is there a zero tolerance policy in the schools? Because the public, which includes parents, wanted it, and the school boards and many administators went along with it. If there is blaming, blame it on the over-reacting parents who often think they know more than the teachers who work there. And blame it on the administrations who are afraid of standing up and saying, 'this educationally unsound'. Much has changed in 30 years and one thing that I have noticed is the way teachers are regarded by parents. Too often the attitude is, I pay your salary, and you will do as I want. Again, administrators go along with parental wishes, rather than what might be better educationally.
But not all zero tolerance policies are bad. Consider bullying or sexual harassment.To paraphrase Pogo, "we met the enemy, and it is us." Support your teachers.

Register your children in Catholic or private schools. Public schools are different such as the examples you gave.

I thinks its a horrible thing that children have to attend government schools. I feel sorry for all those children. If socialist minded people want to send their children to governement schools to be "dumbed down", then I have no problem with that. What I do have a problem with is poorer families, who are not able to afford private schools who are forced to send their children to these specific government schools as determined by their local school zoning rules. I thank the Lord I can afford Christian schools for my children. I thank the Lord also that I can "choose" to send my children to Christian school. Of course, even if I could not afford private school I would never send my child to a government school. They would be home schooled. However, everyone in this country should have the ability to choose the school for their child if they are attending public government run schools.

I normally enjoy and learn a lot from your expertise, Clark. I spent my career in public school education and never witnessed most of the criticism I read and hear about on the radio. Considering the raw material {kids from disfunctional families) that schools are forced to work with, public schools do very well. Private schools don't deal with many of the same problems. I would challenge you to spend two or three days in a low socio-economic school, witnessing the challenges faced by teachers. You may be very surprised.

Of all the tripe, victim-thinking and one-sided WWF opinionating one hears on these moronic talk shows (I do NOT include Clark's show in that lot), nothing riles me up more than this tendentious attack on the so-called "government" schools. America has led the way in near-universal literacy because it made public responsibility for education a priority. I understand that the Boortzes and others of his ilk exist to rile people up and thereby make fortunes. Clark Howard stands alone in being productive and courteous, and entering this debate does not speak well. I am a product of government schools. Is it a perfect system, Good grief, no! But it does provide the basic tools of literacy, which one can then take and parlay into a real education. Teachers are heroes in my eyes, operating in a system (in which I include parental abdication of responsibility) that doesn't support learning. Right-wing morons who supported "No Child Left Unharmed" don't help. Eschew easy thinking, people. Stop letting professional agitators and their opinions lead you toward scapegoat thinking. The existence of "government schools" means, if nothing else, that anyone who wants to learn has a place to do it. If you desire improvement there, good for you. Put your money, and your time, where your mouth is. Support education. In any form, it's far better than the opposite.

I say to you Amen! Too too much Government in our lives and gets worse every day. This is an idiototic policy and always has been. It is as if people are too stupid to use their brains anymore.

What do the kids think of this zero-tolerance nonsense? Kids may be uneducated, but they are not stupid. The system as it's run treats them as though they are. What is actually happening is that the government, through these brainless policies is educating our young that politicians and the "educrats" are complete idiots, and unworthy of having any authority over our lives. I hope this lessons sticks with them when they finally reach voting age.

AND now they want to do away with vouchers....

Yes, I think of the monopoly public school when I pay my property taxes every year, 75% of the bill goes to pay for schools which do not teach the children what they need to succeed. As for homeschoolers who aren't socialized, most of us struggle to balance staying home and teaching and experiencing the myriad of opportunities for our kids. An example: http://nofightingnobiting.blogspot.com/2009/04/best-laid-plans.html
You can't fool me, I taught in several public schools before having children. I know the limited social outlets available during school time, the limited field trips, the draconian policies that staff and students suffer under every day for years. My kids are so much better off at home, both from a social and educational standpoint.

Once again I would like to thank the sue happy lawyers of this country who have forced schools to adopt the zero tolerance policy. Because of you, districts are no longer allowed to decide which children should be punished and which don't need to be. The above case is the extreme and yes that school district went way to far. But the districts can no longer make that decision. So thank you for limiting our abilities to determine what is best for each individual student by taking frivolous cases in which Johnny really is at fault, that pay out ridiculous amounts of money and depleting the school districts of the its strapped finances.

Getting expelled from many public schools is a blessing in disguise. Why expose your children to unqualified educators and other children from dysfunctional families?

I used to teach middle school but got fed up with the blame-everything-on-the-parents attitude of the teachers, the do-nothing-to-back-up-teacher administrators, the not-interested-in-school children, and the don't-care-enough-to-send-child-to-school-with-supplies-or-a-coat parents.

I homeschool my 6 children but they still have to deal with "no tolerance" policies: I don't tolerate disobedience, laziness, rudeness, or being bored to death. We do our work and then spend the rest of the day doing sports, games, fieldtrips, and chores. My threat to get them back on task? "Do you want me to send you to public school?"

I'd like to know what prayer in the school has to do with the state of education or with the ridiculous zero tolerance rule. Is prayer somehow going to make the administration think that a kid doesn't have an advil. They should be sued. The offense was minuscule compared to the damage done by a strip search and body cavity search. Stop the zero tolerance rule, now, it hasn't worked in any other aspect of life in the US. Bring back music, PE and art. Let there be something that the kids look forward during the day. End this stupid "No Child Left Behind" nonsense. No wonder kids are droping out in droves. I would.

I teach 2nd grade in an urban school. Last week we held parent conferences. Out of a class of 19, five decided to show up. This is typical for the entire school. Is it too much to ask, to feed and bathe your children? How about the chair throwing, slug-fests and utter defiant behavior. Behavior which the parents can't even control. Students are absent 2 to 3 times a week. Some are 20-30 minutes late every day. I have students from Somalia, Laos, Ethiopia, Mexico etc. Some have never been in school and I'm supposed to have them reading and writing english so they can take the state standardized test this month. Come on down and try teaching. Little Billy can't read. Do you know what reading interventions will best suit his reading developement? Hell NO, because you are not an expert. Shut off the computers, video games, and t.v. Read and converse with your children.

I am a teacher in a high-poverty inner-city school. I second the person who said that they are tired of people who know NOTHING about what we do every day telling us what we SHOULD be doing.

Yes, it is my job to TEACH reading, writing, math, science and history, but how do you expect me to do that when I have students that are twelve years old and still don't know how to sit still in a chair... well, I teach them how to do that first. Then I have children who have no food at home and come simply for the breakfast and lunch that they get... most of the time in the classroom. Yes, I said that... in the classroom. Don't think it happens all over the place? Ask a teacher that you know. Then I have momma with six kids that does not have a car OR a phone so I can never get in touch with her about her daughter that is getting into fights with others and simply does not CARE about school (humm, I wonder why) but about hanging out with friends and passing notes. How am I to help that child? Well, we do after school programs. I teach during my lunch, planning period, and after school. And, what about my boy whos mom voluntarily gave him up to the state at 11 years old and he has been diagnosed with several emotional and behavioral disorders, but is still in the regular education setting with all your gifted students. Is that my fault? No! Does that prevent me from doing my best to educate him? No!

You people don't understand that we have to teach what is given to us and that we usually aren't given much. I'm sick of people coming down on teachers when all we do is work ourselves to death to try to help the next generation not be loosers that rely on the government for everything.

So, maybe some of you should go spend a day in an inner city middle school (which by the way is the majority of them) and then we teachers might listen to what you have to say, but until then maybe you should THANK your teachers for all we put up with (and return day after day with a smile on our faces) rather than telling us what we should be doing.

The reality of it is that there are many areas that do not have multiple choices of schools to choose from, and the other thing is how do you get your kids there, not as easy as it seems or sounds. It is really difficult for a family to just pick up and leave there home and job to go to a good school.

What is a "good" school?


School polices I agree are a joke and there is more time spent "teaching" agendas such as tolerance, culture, ect.... School should be there to teach reading, writing, math and history. Leave the ethics and EVERYONE'S religion out, it has nothing to do with reading, writing and arithmetic.

Quit blaming parents for not being involved, I get so sick of hearing that, my parents did not sit down with me every day and do home work, I was expected to do my work and if I didn't I knew I would be in a heap of trouble if they caught wind of it. I am not a serial killer or thief because my parents didn't spend hours every day teaching me what I should be learning in school. I support myself and my family it is called responsibility, something kids have had taken away from them.

Look at all of the adult kids still living at home with there parents buying there cars and paying for everything there hearts desire. What is this teaching them?

If I was a teacher I would be homeschooling my own kids and not sending them to school, that is why I send my kids to school so the teachers can teach them, because I am not a teacher when it comes to reading, writing and math. I work so I have to go and do my job and I expect that teachers will do the same. I will teach my kids how to treat others well and what I feel is appropriate.

Our society has become so focused on how "good" are kids look to everyone else and how many activities there in we have lost focus on there real education.

Agrees? I just cannot shake my education... although my keyboard could carry some blame :)

You need to understand law. There is no common sense used in the court room, only facts. That is why there are so many laws with so many subsections. If the schools could define each and every incident then there would be exceptions. Think of the size of the rule book! Compare it to drinking alcohol in a car, is it the same as in a truck, or RV? No, an RV can be a home so you have to add rules to cover that exception. Simple example but that is what is facing the school system. How do you cover every excuse? Maybe some lawyers whose kids go to a public school can donate his/her time to help write/define the rules. Private school has the same issues, just more involved parents. If you can't help solve the problem then you are part of the problem.

Read "Death of Common Sense" and "The lost art of drawing the line" by Philip K. Howard and you will realize, among other things, why government schools and agencies are how they are. For the sake of individual rights we are sacrificing the common good. Besides, fear of lawsuits drive people and government create and live with these abominable and nonsensical policies. Zero tolerance is one such instance. What a sad state!

Sure hope "dekalbteach" isn't an English teacher! LOL

Let's face it...the education system is just one more tool the gov't and liberals use to control our lives and indoctrinate the next generation. For example, why is Christian prayer and bible study forbidden -- yet Islamic kids allowed to study about their religion, read the Koran AND pray? What are GLBT advocates allowed to come in and give presentations and teachers forced to promote "tolerance" -- for all groups except Christians? How did we get away from teaching the three Rs in lieu of PC crap like mulitculturism and diversity? No wonder India is graduating 5 times as many engineers as we do. No wonder we're falling behind the rest of the world intellectually. And no wonder the popularity of home schooling is soaring.

Universal free public education needs to be examined in the US. In other countries parents have to pay to send their children to school. If parents had to pay they would be more involved and might force kids to act right and try to learn, instead of coming to school and acting the fool.

"School is for people who want to learn, not clowns looking to cause trouble."

LOL x 10 !!

Schools are places where marginally proficient teachers and administrators spend their days while pretending to educate children. Kids are shuffled about with the notion that motion equals progress, and the curriculum is dumbed-down to the point where really bright kids suffer the most.

As for drugs, if the schools imposed the same rules about prescription meds on the faculty, half of the teachers whould be summarily fired! Our state passed a law that limits parental involvement and stifles any criticism. For example, if a teacher feels "uncomfortable" at any time during a teacher-parent meeting, they can call 911 and have the parents arrested!

Leave your wine, knives, birth control pills, and musketts at home and you won't have to worry about getting kicked out. School is for people who want to learn, not clowns looking to cause trouble.

If the government offered school vouchers for kids to attend private schools, this would give the government the entry it needs to control public schools. In other words, the government could dictate the policy or no vouchers would be available.

"Our educational system is essentially a Soviet-style government-run monopoly that could only be loved by the likes of Lenin and Stalin".
If any of you would know what kind of school system we've had in the Soviet Union,all of youl would be jealous. When Russian kids would come to America as exchange students,let's say from a seventh grade,they would put them in the ninth grade here,in the States,simply because the knowledge level was so much greater. That says it all.

More reason to fuel my desire to homeschool my children.

The lack of school choice is exactly what generates these insane policies. Where parents have a choice about schools the schools are typically more responsive to both parents and public opinion. School systems where choice is available are more open with parents (as they want their kids to attend) whereas systems with no choice have no need for transparency - Kids will have to go there no matter what.

Education is the responsibility of the parents not the government. If the public school has rules that you do not agree with there are other options. I would never trust the education of my children to government.

What I can't fathom is why public school principals seem so determined to convince the public that they are totally unreasonable. I know of a teacher who had to remove a Christmas card from her classroom door. The principal told me that a certain parent kept writing to him demanding that religious references be removed from the school. To which I replied: I'm an educator too (college level) and I don't honor requests to keep students culturally ignorant!

MORE money for public schools? The ones that get the most money now are the worst. They proved in Kansas City years ago that throwing more money at a failing system is an exercise in futility. We need choice and competition. If a religious school can give kids a better education at 1/4 the cost and the parents are willing to send their kids there, GO FOR IT!

How is pouring money into a failing public school system working for you? Some of the worst school systems in the nation get the most money per student...and they are not improving. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.