Comments on: The education of our next president

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:23:13 +0000

I will say Iâ€™m glad Iâ€™m not running for office because I will never have to have a workable design for improving the schools.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:27:14 +0000

In answer to the last question, Obama’s daughters go to private school, Biden’s children went to Catholic schools, McCain’s children attended private schools (his youngest is in high school now); only Palin’s children go to public school.

By: Mom in Georgia

Mom in Georgia — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:59:01 +0000

Did (do) any of the candidates’ kids attend public schools?

By: Mrs. Davis

Mrs. Davis — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:05:40 +0000

I’d agree with Andrea but from the perspective of having sent children to both. Because for private schools to succeed it’s enough to simply not be public schools for those who can afford to escape those who cannot be expelled. Until both have to compete for their revenue, they’ll both revert to the mean and define proficiency down.

By: ricki

ricki — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:33:54 +0000

Another “data point of one” – I went to the local public schools in my town for eight years as a kid and was MISERABLE. The “cool” kids pulled Cs and Ds while partying on the weekend (at least, in the early teen years). I cared about grades and learning and I most assuredly did not fit in.

My parents sent me to a prep school for high school and that was the best thing they ever did for me. (It is possible that it even saved my life, considering some of my thoughts and feelings by the end of eighth grade). I wound up with other smart weird kids. I actually had friends. There were people who actually respected my abilities.

How to reform public school? Maybe make it non-mandatory, or at least give teachers the power to kick out the kids who make life miserable for everyone else?

I will say I’m glad I’m not running for office because I will never have to have a workable design for improving the schools.

By: ANDREA

ANDREA — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:06:38 +0000

I went to both public and private school and honestly, it’s not all that different. In the end, neither worked out for my kids.

By: Bart

Bart — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:08:05 +0000

Superdestroyer, this may be the first time I’ve ever agreed with you.

By: superdestroyer

superdestroyer — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:24:51 +0000

I am beginning to question the ability of individuals who were educated at private prep schools to ever be able to reform public education. CAn someone who went to school with all people of above average ability and with a general high desire to learn ever be able to understand what happens in most public schools these days.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:05:55 +0000

Up until then McCain had been extremely reticent to talk about his experience as a POW, saying that only those who had been one themselves could understand.

While he didn’t talk about it as ubiquitously as he has in the last few months, he has always talked about it, and has never exhibited any reluctance to do so. It’s his best political weapon and he’s used it regularly since his first campaign for congress.

By: Homeschooling Granny

Homeschooling Granny — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:55:18 +0000

KauaiMark, I believe that John McCain’s book was written in 1999 when he was gearing up for a run for the presidency in 2000. I remember this because of a story I heard at that time. Up until then McCain had been extremely reticent to talk about his experience as a POW, saying that only those who had been one themselves could understand. Faith of My Fathers was the first full telling by him of his POW experience. With the assistance of Mark Salter, it is a remarkable tale beautifully told. I can’t resist speculating that the endeavor to communicate the experience in a way those who weren’t there could understand was cathartic for him.

I agree that both books are to be recommended as well written and revealing of their authors.