Vouchers for specials?

[Anonymous]

I am new to the public school scene, but I must say that the specials (music, art, PE, languages-FLES) are done poorly.

I have been wondering if there was any chance of getting the county (MoCo) to just give up the specials programs, end the school days earlier and let the parents (PTA) buy their own music, art, PE and language programs at a discount (vouchers). That would mean that school would be a sort of cafeteria plan with the basic 3 Rs, then you add quality special programs as desired.

[Anonymous]

End school early? Then most kids would just be stuck in after-school care for more hours. Your idea would only benefit kids who had a parent who stays at home and could pick them up early. If you want better programs, sign your kid up for one (or more) but don't expect the entire school system to work around your personal desires.

[Anonymous]

I think OP is advocated the specials still be at the school...but outsourced? I can't imagine that will happen. I would take your concerns to your principal and try to work within the system. I am (generally) happy with how specials are handed at my MOCO school.

[Anonymous]

For foreign languages, FLES is already outsourced and hired through the PTA, right? Our PTA switched to offering foreign languages through Language Fundamentals (http://languagefundamentals.com/). I know they were more expensive but got better reviews.

I'm happy with specials at our school, too. I agree that this might be an issue to take up at your school.

[Anonymous]

That is what people with money do with the 10 weeks of summer vacation - tons of camps - art/science/sports/music. Also, some aftercare programs offer these things as well. I think that the school year should be longer, and more specials included in the days.

[Anonymous]

Foreign Langaueges are not a required part of the elementary school curriculum. PE needs to be taught by a licensed teacher. I am assuming Art and Music are the same way. While Mad Science is a great enrichment, I don't think it takes the place of science in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

It would be nice to have higher quality and more frequency in PE, art and music. Languages once a week are a waste.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about vouchers, but it is certainly a possibility that many specials may be dropped. Experts think that the budget cuts we have seen to date are just the beginning and the leanest years are yet to come. Just look at Hawaii which has gone to a 4 day school week for much of the year ("furlough Fridays"). Or California. Many public school systems there have 30+ kid classrooms in the early grades, not just 4th and up, and no specials. A friend who lives in Cupertino, CA was telling me her district just did a $1.65M fundraiser to keep class sizes low for next year in addition to district employees agreeing to 5 furlough days. Other districts and states are also seriously considering 4 day weeks.

We are so relatively wealthy in this area it may not ever get that bad, but it already is that bad many places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know about vouchers, but it is certainly a possibility that many specials may be dropped. Experts think that the budget cuts we have seen to date are just the beginning and the leanest years are yet to come. Just look at Hawaii which has gone to a 4 day school week for much of the year ("furlough Fridays"). Or California. Many public school systems there have 30+ kid classrooms in the early grades, not just 4th and up, and no specials. A friend who lives in Cupertino, CA was telling me her district just did a $1.65M fundraiser to keep class sizes low for next year in addition to district employees agreeing to 5 furlough days. Other districts and states are also seriously considering 4 day weeks.

We are so relatively wealthy in this area it may not ever get that bad, but it already is that bad many places.

This is sad, all for our consumptive greed of the last decade, now our kids' education suffers.

In those areas, some parents might want to think about pooling resources to rent the schools on Fridays and provide specials and academics.

[Anonymous]

to 14:13 How are the furlough Fridays working out? Do they offer after school care programs all day on Fridays or are working parents the ones that get hurt the most?

[Anonymous]

Seems like many school districts need to consider vouchers to keep kids in private or home schooled. That would be cheaper than these kids all flooding the system now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:to 14:13 How are the furlough Fridays working out? Do they offer after school care programs all day on Fridays or are working parents the ones that get hurt the most?

All the recently unemployed parents are availabel for babysitting on Fridays.

[Anonymous]

to 14:13 How are the furlough Fridays working out?

For Hawaii, I dunno. I just saw it on the news when they announced it for this school year.