I homeschooled our son K-12; well, actually 10th grade as he graduated early. After, I've been tutoring students, mostly middle school and upper elementary, for the last 10 years. First, I have seen amazing, dedicated teachers who put their heart and soul into their kids. I was one, too. One year, I had 30 5th graders. Six could not read beyond 2nd grade level; I had no time to help them. Another 8 were bright and ready for 8th grade; I could not help them. I had to teach to the middle kids. Dr. Laura, it is like having 30 children of your own. How could you possibly attend to them all?
Then there are the teachers who are not dedicated. When I volunteered in a middle school, I heard again and again, from the teachers: "I am not going to help the kids after school. That is not MY job." "I am not going to come to that meeting. That is not MY job." It was a very self-oriented, self-protective situation, not at all centered first on the students. And it was disgusting.Problem #3 - The schools get federal money for things like lunches and breakfasts, so they work hard to get as many kids to sign up for the federally funded things as they can: free lunches, Special Ed; Reading pull-out; ESL and language help.Problem #4 - Common Core has exacerbated what was already bad. The curriculum is spread thin over many inane, irrelevant subjects. It is dumbed down because it is federal rather than specific for the school and student. The goal is to 'make it relevant to real life' but instead of learning concepts, they need to learn concrete calculations, which are tools for real life. School districts need to be locally controlled and the curriculum needs to be designed by the citizens for THEIR children. The districts need to be accountable for the money they spend.
I have more to say, but will start with this. I would homeschool again.
Betty
