Quote:
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Originally Posted by xiggi I believe that most families greatly underestimate the deep malaise that exists in the public education system... |
And I am continually
shocked at how complacent most families are when it comes to their own community's public schools. It reminds me of the international comparison (TIMSS, I believe?) that found U.S. students had the highest confidence in their abilities, yet performed among the worst.
The overwhelming majority seem to think that
they have 'excellent' schools, and that only
other communities' schools are underperforming. Given the fact that it's usually the popular members of the community who get elected to the school board, and they too continue to believe their schools are 'excellent,' they tell community residents exactly what the residents want to hear - '
Our schools are excellent! and outstanding!' - regardless of the accuracy of that statement.
It is virtually impossible to get a school district to improve when they already believe they're exceptional and outstanding, and the community complacently eats this up as well.
/frustrated rant
