Another interesting point is how long this has affected us. Today if something pisses me off I get over it rather quickly. But I suppose the time when our brains are developing to be put through such hell leaves scars.

What gets me most is how incredibly unimportant high school is. That piece of paper means nothing. I could have dropped out and gotten my GED, gone to junior college, off to regular college and then to grad school and be where I am today. I went this route anyway minus the GED. The mundane, banal, stupidity I could have saved myself. And for nothing. That diploma can’t even get you a job at a convenience store.

I now work in a completely different field. But my personal experience in the public school system still haunts me. I literally still — at 31 years old — have nightmares about exams and teachers trying to “trick you” in quizzess and tests. Every September I cringe for students going back to school. I feel for them. It sucks. So much unnecessary stress, frustration, hurt, rejection, not to mention exposure to garbage that many innocent minds are not ready for.

I wish I knew how to make a difference!

I would enjoy exchanging Emails with the writer of this post if you are interested please respond to this.

Deans either can’t or won’t deal with the stuff either. The solution? Private schools can suffer from SOME of this too. Homeschooling is not always practical for everyone. So I just don’t know.

Society right now is at the bottom of it, and that is why government, laws, policy, etc. is what it is.

The kids usually know what they should do though. The problem is that no one “holds a hammer over their heads.” The laws won’t permit it. I’ve seen kids suddenly act extremely well though, when you’d have thought they were completely dysfunctional basketcases. The reason is that you expended an inordinate amount of energy to set them straight–but that’s very difficult given the laws these days (it requires a certain amount of bluffing).

I won’t take on a classroom, be held responsible for its safety and order, and not be permitted to discipline the children.

thanks for a great website!

Robyn

While you may feel that your soul has been crushed, it appears that your “government school” has done its job in terms of preparing you for your adult life. Although jaded, you are obviously able to think critically, analyze, and communicate via the written word. It appears you also hold a job. I’d thank public education for that!

Public education is crumbling as parents are making the choice to have their kids educated elsewhere. Schools are facing declining enrollment, particularly in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and their suburbs. Declining enrollment equals less funding per school. In Minnesota, most districts lose about $8,000 per kid. Parents need to think long and hard before making the decision to send their kid to another school. What impact will it have on the school and what impact will that have on society? The world is, in fact, larger than your family.

I’ve spend numerous years in public schools and commend educators for the job they do. I have yet to step into a classroom that has a “one size fits all” approach. I see tasks differentiated as teachers spend countless hours in and out of school preparing several lessons for their students who have diverse needs. I see teachers allowing students to move or have accomodations in the classroom that will allow them to be more successful. I see kids learning how to interact as well as learning appropriate social skills and how to read social cues. Teachers have found the need to teach many skills that used to be taught by parents.

What will the world look like with a failing public school system? I sure don’t want to find out. It’s time we look at how we can help to rebuild it.

I appreciate your honestly and thoughts regarding this topic. However, writing complaints is the easy part especially when you sit outside of the world of public education. Have you considered speaking with legislatures or obtaining a teaching degree? Then you could truly do your part.