Cohousing-L Mailing List: Public school vs. private

[Marie Clary (mclary]

> I'm sure there are exceptions to the stereotype, yet it rings true
> to me in another way, pushing the same bias button I have against
> private schools in general. Good quality education is something
> society owes all it children. Only a broad-based public school
> system can do this. If those with money for private schools and/or
> time to teach their own kids pull out of the public school system it
> contributes to the further undermining of it constituency of
> support.

I also believe that the public school system should answer our needs. 
Consequently, when I decided to homeschool my son, I found and 
transferred to a school district that offered this opportunity.  Not 
only did I have access to materials, programs and activities for my 
son, but met with a teacher once a month who supplied me with 
wonderful advice and skills that were a great benefit.  At the 
same time, I harangued our school board to create a similar program 
and after four years they finally did.  Unfortunately the homeschool 
has, in the two short years since its inception, a very long waiting 
list. They need to expand the program but they seem to be dragging 
their feet.   We'll just have to keep pushing.  Public schools are, 
after all, what the community makes them.