Reply to Innovative Ideas to reduce educational disparity

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Reply to "Innovative Ideas to reduce educational disparity"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I used to send my kids to tutoring until I realized how much free, guided, enrichment is available online. 
This isnt about money, its cultural. [/quote]

[b]It takes money to have a computer and high speed internet access.[/b]

The school should provide access to the needed content without having to resort to outside instruction.

Moreover, people are using culture here to describe parental apathy.  It could be that a parent who is uneducated themselves doesn't know that outside instruction is necessary in "one of the best school systems in the country".  I suppose that a parent's low level of education may be cultural, but it's not apathy.  If a parent is busy working 2 jobs trying to keep food on the table and a roof overhead, they are not apathetic, even if they don't have a lot of time to provide outside enrichment.

I was a SAH mom.  I volunteered in schools.  I provided all the types of enrichment that have been described in this thread   I am about as far from apathetic as a parent can be.  I was shocked and appalled at how much instruction I had to provide because of MCPS deficiencies.  I had the benefit of a strong education in a public school.  It had some weaknesses, but it was so much stronger on the fundamentals, which meant that I could identify and address problems as they came up.  When we bought our house, school quality was a primary concern.  I assumed I would have to occasionally answer a homework question or quiz my child on spelling words.  I never envisioned that I would have to become a reading/grammar/math/science/social studies teacher.

I've met parents with struggling students, none of whom were indifferent to their child's education.  Yes, I'm sure there are some apathetic, neglectful parents.  (I strongly suspect you'll find some of those even in high SES brackets.)  However, I think most are trying, like the rest of us, to help our kids to the best of our abilities, even if those abilities vary widely.

The purpose of public schools is to offer a free education to all children, regardless of their parents capabilities and/or interest in educating their children.  If you felt it necessary to provide a tutor or online tutor equivalent for your children, then I think it has failed in that purpose.  Thank goodness you understood your childrens' needs and had the knowledge required to get them the necessary help.[/quote]

Internet access available as part of Comcast program; recycled computers available from nonprofits.  Public library; school library.  If people would stop making excuses, people would step up (if they have drive and ability).  If they have no drive or ability, it won't matter how much money you spend.[/quote]

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