Too much schoolin’
Guest blogging over at No Silence Here, Glenn Reynolds notes:
THE PHOTO ON THE RIGHT shows my daughter’s homework for the night. The backpack is full, and weighs 19 pounds. I haven’t weighed the stack of books, but it’s likely that she’s carrying one-third her bodyweight there.
She also has back problems from carrying all this, and the physical therapist said that no kid should be carrying that many books. The folks at the school, however, don’t seem to care; I’ve raised it with them but they’ve been utterly dismissive.
Given that they seem to find time during the school day to have kids write D.A.R.E. essays in which they promise that alcohol will never touch their lips, I wonder why they can’t find enough class time to get all this work done during the school day?
Knox County Schools seem to be able to find time for everything except, you know, teaching. I can’t say I’m surprised that they’re losing so many people to private schools and homeschooling, but I am surprised that the folks from Knox County don’t seem to care.
Anyone else seem to notice this trend? I’m kind of scared about when Junior starts school. Not because I think she’ll have problems but because I think that I will whenever her teachers do something stupid.
December 7th, 2005 at 10:11 am
I agree with Dr. Helen. Young children should not have 8 hours of school and 4 hours of homework. Glenn hits the mark wondering about the efficiency of what is taught during school hours.
The irony of this is that Child and Family Services would swoop down on a sweatshop where kids worked 12 hours a day to make rugs. How is it supposed to be a good thing that a child has to spend 12 hours a day on school? Just seems like a lot of Ritalin and counseling will be the result.
I have a lot of friends that place their children in private schools and work like dogs to pay the tuition. We need a reality check on how our schools are being run.
December 7th, 2005 at 2:13 pm
My kids have huge backpacks as well. My daughter had to drop soccer and equine to have room for the studying required.
My neice is not allowed to go to her locker in-between classes, so she has to carry all of her books throughout the day.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:18 pm
That is why my kids are being homeschooled. I was not an advocate of home schooling, but I am now.
My oldest is in the 1st grade. He is reading at a 4-5th grade level and started 2nd grade English studies 1/2 way through the semester. My pre-schooler is already doing the 1st grade level work.
Once my kids get started, this is our life until they are out of college. Public schools are a waste of time and nothing but glorified federal day-care centers with an agenda.
December 7th, 2005 at 4:21 pm
From my experience as a parent dealing with Socialized Education, the problem isn’t really the teachers; you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how competent they are.
It’s the administrators (principals, superintendents, etc.) who are the pricks. They’ve got 20+ years in the system, and their entire goal is to keep their cushy position and then retire and collect a nice fat pension. They won’t do anything to upset the status quo. Parents who have uppity ideas about how the schools should educate their kids are their #1 enemies.
I predict you’ll find that out the minute your kid defends herself against a bully.
December 9th, 2005 at 10:25 pm
Are you guys living in a world without rolling backpacks? If it gets too heavy you just extend the handle and pull it along behind you.