Does Anyone Think They Got A Bad Public School Education? Inspired by Voucher Thread

[Blondie]

I'd say it was pretty crappy. I graduated in '78 in a Philadelphia suburban H.S. and things were so different then. All I needed was one year of math, so I got it out of the way in 10th grade and then sailed through the rest of H.S.! I was focusing on business and Algebra and Geometry wasn't required.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High could've been written about my H.S. It wasn't unusual to see some of the teachers out getting high with the students during lunch. Their motto was "turn me on or I'll turn you in!" If some of the non-participating teachers saw students getting high on school grounds, we pretended we didn't see them, and they pretended they didn't see us!

Parents were rarely informed of anything and we practically just skated through H.S. and I still managed to make A's and B's. We'd go out and party during lunch and sometimes never made it back to school. That was when students were allowed to leave school grounds. Now it's forbidden unless being signed out by an adult.

I'd say things sure have changed since then, and for the better!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Mine was good b/c my mother made sure of it. I went to 10 schools and there were some good and some bad.

We did have 1 or 2 opportunities where if the alternative did not pan out a voucher would have been much much needed. Thankfully the alternatives worked (tested into a better school for one and the other we just stayed put while my mother worked to move one more time after a boo boo in selecting a neighborhood).

After the boo boo move, she was very very careful in selecting her areas (military TFRs). New Orleans was the only one where she was up a creek and due to a chance mentioning by someone on base--we were fortunate enough to have me tested for a magnent school on teh last availalbe test date. Otherwise--up the creek without a paddle was going to happen.

 

[Robinrs]

I think I had an EXCELLENT public school experience, tough and fair in NYC. Unfortunately my son is getting the crap end of the stick in Georgia... it's NOTHING like my experience. No wonder they finish at the bottom of every list, they're horrible! And he's in one of the best sections of the city! The worse here can't even touch the worse of what I learned in NY... don't GET ME STARTED!!! grrrrrrrrr

 

[momof2inPA]

See, there's already school choice. You can go to crappy schools in GA and good schools in NY or crappy schools in PG county or good schools in Montgomery county, and they are all public.

I know there are a lot of private schools that don't have accellerated reading and all the AP course offerings that the public schools have.

My public schools were ok, not great. I did well on the SAT's and PSAT's if that means anything.

 

[daisyduck123]

I too, went to public school in Prince George's County, Md. the same time you did. It was fine for elem & junior high. When it came time for high school though, around 1980...my parents decided to send me to a $5,000.00 a year (a LOT back then) just to get me out of the local public school (horrible school).

It was so much better & I loved it!

 

[2BigKIdz]

I don't think my education was sub-par but our school definitely catered to the wealthy kids. I was in the "advanced" college prep classes but never once did my guidance counselor discuss college with me. My family knew nothing about college and neither did I. I never even applied to a school except the local community college, where my test scores weren't even on their charts, so I think I had a decent education just didn't have any guidance on what to do with it. I do take part of the blame as I didn't actively pursue the information. I don't have any children, but my husband and I have already agreed if we have children they will attend private school.

 

[Planogirl]

Mine was OK in most places. I was an Air Force brat so I went to school in Texas, Georgia, New Hampshire and the Netherlands. The Dutch schools were definitely the best. It always took me a little while to catch up with the class when I went to school there. I don't remember the American school specifically except in those cases I would generally be behind.

I attended high school in Texas and it was OK back then. I was in accelerated classes and I felt knowledgeable enough when I went into college.

 

[Talking Hands]

My parents pulled me out of DC Public Schools and put me in private school for high school. Out nation's capital had one of the worst school systems in the nation. Only one good high school and it wasn't the one I would have gone to. Pulled my brother as well and put him in boarding school. I attended Sidwell Friends School and my brother went to CHarlotte Hall Military Academy.

 

[Christine]

My parents pulled me out of DC Public Schools and put me in private school for high school. Out nation's capital had one of the worst school systems in the nation. Only one good high school and it wasn't the one I would have gone to. Pulled my brother as well and put him in boarding school. I attended Sidwell Friends School and my brother went to CHarlotte Hall Military Academy.

The DC public school system hasn't changed at all probably since your experience.

 

[clarabelle]

I know there are a lot of private schools that don't have accellerated reading and all the AP course offerings that the public schools have.

I have one child in Public and on child in Private. I am sooo glad that the Private school does not have AR. I think AR is so limiting and tedious. I think that the levels assigned to the books are sometimes very innaccurate and it sets up an environment of reading for points as opposed to reading for fun or knowledge.
Nothing like reading a good story to a group of second graders and have them yell out- "How many points is that book?" Instead of "that was a good story".

 

[believe]

I grew up in a very low income neighborhood and I can say my education was wonderful. I had teachers that truly cared. My parents didn't attend 'social' things, but my Mom did go to the parent teacher conferences. Teachers were willing to stay late to help you understand a concept. Our grading scale was higher than schools around us, 94-100 was an A and a 69 was failing. We had Academic classes as well as college prep classes. I would not trade my experience in my public school system for anything.

 

[castleview]

My parents pulled me out of DC Public Schools and put me in private school for high school. Out nation's capital had one of the worst school systems in the nation. Only one good high school and it wasn't the one I would have gone to. Pulled my brother as well and put him in boarding school. I attended Sidwell Friends School and my brother went to CHarlotte Hall Military Academy.

I heard the schools in the NW section were very good. No? Jut curious. I remember an uncle who lives in Arlington telling me that. That was a while ago though.

 

[missypie]

My public school education (southern Illinois in the 60s and 70s) was fair at best. I had one FANTASTIC high school English teacher, a couple of interesting Social Studies teachers...that was it.

I know that as small town public schools at the height of the baby boom, they had to educate whoever walked in the door...the thing is, they didn't even TRY to have advanced or remedial groups. My kids are in public school now but the schools do so well with trying to meet the needs of the various groups of kids...the super smart math kids get to go to math class in the grade or grades above them, etc.

I remember getting in trouble in 1st grade reading because the class was reading from the Dick, Jane and Sally reader out loud. When it was my turn, I didn't know where we were, because I had just read the entire reader...yet we were all lumped together for reading...no advanced work ever....I remember being so bored so often....what a waste of time...

In 8th grade, we took tests to decide if we would be in the high, middle or low level classes in high school. Based on the test results, you were put in the classes (no student or parent input). Then, I moved for 10-12 grade...I was put in regular classes...don't know why...I was finally challenged senior year when I was taking all electives.

I was always a good student, but I could have learned so much more.

One more thing: I NEVER had a world history class!!!!! I was in the Illinois public schools for 13 years and never had world history. Isn't that appalling? I love History now, but am entirely self educated.