The Hidden Burden on Middle-Class Families in Public Schools

[Anonymous]

For FCPS, AAP is the answer.

[Anonymous]

Mcps is a very violent and chaotic place to go to school as the teachers are coerced to deflate and ignore incidents so they don't get reported. Then really bad things are amped up as kids start bringing weapons...are teachers suppose to ignore this as admin threaten our job security for data manipulation.

[Anonymous]

Mass student population has trended “high needs.” Unless you live in a uber wealth enclave, you can’t avoid them. So private is an alternative pathway. We did our “time” in public, but moving our kids to a catholic school because they actually index on normal kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In regions that are less SES segregated but lack gifted schools, private school is much more common for middle-income folks. You via real estate, or you pay directly to a private school.

Yep.

[Anonymous]

There is definitely an expectation to keep kids in public. My kids WERE in AAP at a “good” FCPS center until 6th grade and there were still massive problems - overcrowding (30+ kids in a trailer), behavioral issues, bullying that went unaddressed by the overwhelmed administration, and really not that rigorous of an education. The language arts education was almost nonexistent.

There was definitely a reaction among peers when we left for a small, conservative Catholic school. It has been wonderful so far. There is a focus on character and behavior that has been very welcome. Most of the kids are genuinely nice kids, and having boys wear ties and blazers improves their behavior. The school is phone free, which makes a difference. The history, language arts, and science curricula have been outstanding. Math is not as accelerated but the teaching is very solid. My rising junior has maxed out math at school and is taking online Calculus BC next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so true that public schools have become a place for below average students. They excel at helping kids whose parents cannot provide the extra services they need, truly a safety net. They feed them, or give speech or reading help, among many things.
But for those that are above average, it’s a dead end. Thank goodness we have choices.

Your comment is over-broad and useless.

Many public schools are better than many private schools.

Go ahead and argue while I google the TJ website.

Eh, the only reason some pubic schools appear better than others is due to higher caliber students that attend- and that is because of their home life and parents. It isn’t anything special that public school is doing differently

Your post doesn’t support the post that said public (with an “l”) schools have become a place for below average students. Nice try, though. Care to have another go?

That is common knowledge. Does it really need to be spelled out for you? 91% of kids go to public school.

Yet only 26% of 8th grade students nationally are grade level proficient in math and 29% grade level proficient in reading. You draw your own conclusions from that

[Anonymous]

I don't think apolitical "middle class families" feel that way. It is possible that "liberal families" feel that way.

[Anonymous]

I stay in the public school system because I have faith in the public school system, not because I feel obligated to educate my children there because of my socioeconomic status. What an odd thing for you to go on and on about.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like you live in a diverse area with a lot of low SES and special ed students. That is a choice you made and a choice you can change. We have none of the issues you raised in our children's FCPS elementary and middle schools. In fact, we're a little sad about the lack of diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds like you live in a diverse area with a lot of low SES and special ed students. That is a choice you made and a choice you can change. We have none of the issues you raised in our children's FCPS elementary and middle schools. In fact, we're a little sad about the lack of diversity.

But not sad enough to put your kid in a diverse public school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mcps is a very violent and chaotic place to go to school as the teachers are coerced to deflate and ignore incidents so they don't get reported. Then really bad things are amped up as kids start bringing weapons...are teachers suppose to ignore this as admin threaten our job security for data manipulation.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds like you live in a diverse area with a lot of low SES and special ed students. That is a choice you made and a choice you can change. We have none of the issues you raised in our children's FCPS elementary and middle schools. In fact, we're a little sad about the lack of diversity.

But not sad enough to put your kid in a diverse public school

Nope. Not at all. We love our kids school - it's not socioeconomically diverse, but only about 50% caucasian. It's perfect for my mixed race children.

[Anonymous]

The thing is money doesn’t buy the actual academic education. I went to college with private prep graduates who had FAR less academic preparation than I did.
Money buys you peer group and status. I feel no guilt in doing my best to surround my kids with others who are motivated to learn and take education seriously.
At a certain point, the highly privileged kids have too much and get too entitled for my taste, so I selected a highly ranked public school. I stopped feeling guilt over wanting the best for my kids.

I teach in a low income area and do my best to help those kids. I vote for people I think have the best interests of all kids and for a strong social safety net.

I don’t need my personal children to be used to help level the playing field. Why should they pay the price for the way our society is run?

[Anonymous]

Isn't it better for the public school if they get your money but don't need to provide you any services than if you enroll your kids there and they take time and resources away from more needy kids? From my perspective the best way to support public is to give them money by paying taxes and then save their resources by enrolling your kids elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it better for the public school if they get your money but don't need to provide you any services than if you enroll your kids there and they take time and resources away from more needy kids? From my perspective the best way to support public is to give them money by paying taxes and then save their resources by enrolling your kids elsewhere.

No, a plurality of school funding comes from state/federal level, not the local district. So the school is still losing out on resources it could otherwise be getting by you not sending your kids.