Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Is public school free and affordable any longer?  I’ve been in the parenting game a long while, my oldest being 25 years of age.   As such, I’ve seen plenty of changes in the public school system, least here in California.  One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is how it’s impossible for a student, who is excelling and wants to be on tract to go to a good four-year university, to get the promised free education public school claims is a possibility.

My youngest son, who will be a junior in high school next year, is a member of the IB, International Bachelorette program, at his local high school.  So what does this mean, the IB program is an accelerated program that allows advanced kids to be challenged and also proves to prospective universities that the student is not only serious about attending their institution, but is qualified to handle the work load, as they’ve had to do similar while in high school.  But there’s a problem….

In order for these students to prove that they’re super serious about attending a four-year university and are capable of putting in the dedication to fulfill all educational requirements, they’re unable to pull that off without having to attend summer school.  That’s where my question comes in.

In order for these students to get the classes they need to complete the IB program, they must take advanced courses not offered through the free regular summer school program.  As such, we, as the parents, are gouged with high priced classes.  Now I ask, is this fair?

To me, this type of so-called free public school education is anything but.  And I have the payment receipts to prove such.  In addition, it gives me that squeamish feeling I get when I realize that a program has become elitist, meaning that only those who can literally pay an above-and-beyond price ticket are entitled to participate. 

Yes, I’m aware this is the sad truth of the world.  But when it comes to the education of our children—the future makers, shakers, artists and creators of our future, I don’t agree with this being a mode of operation.  Something has gone terribly amuck when children are no longer able to get the education they deserve…unless they can pay for it…and that’s with so-called free education.  Don’t even get me going on the pitfalls of private education.  Been there and done that with my oldest child a lifetime ago.

So back to my original question…. Is public school free and affordable any longer?  The answer is a resounding no!  What a sad state of affairs this is.  How tragic for current students.  For those who haven’t even begun school yet….  What will education be for them?  How will those future children be guaranteed quality education?  Unless they can pay for it….  It would appear, at least in California, that lawmakers—the majority of whose children do not attend public school systems—care little if at all about how current and future children will become educated.  If they will be educated.  Perhaps those same lawmakers should rethink this cause, as it is those very current and future children who will hold the lawmakers’ futures in their hands as they age….