Exodus: Is It Time To Leave Public Schools Behind?

Morality in Media ^ | February 2005 | Sharon Secor

[Coleus]

Exodus: Is It Time To Leave Public Schools Behind?

Educational statistics and news stories throughout the nation point to the dismal state of affairs in our public schools. The academic performance of the vast majority of junior and senior high school students today does not equal that of students 100 years ago. A near omnipresent popular culture awash in increasingly graphic sexual content and violent material, results of the rising tide of pornography and obscenity that floods our society, has seeped into almost every corner of our society. Even our schools have been tainted, so much so that a broad array of secular and religious thinkers and leaders are calling upon parents to remove their children from public schools.

As our popular culture has become increasingly sexualized, so, too, have media representations of children and adolescents and the world in which they live. During the past few years a number of television programs have sprung up around what the media seems to define as teen life, with school serving as one of the main settings.

Not surprisingly, given the sexual saturation of today's media, the typical portrayal of teens in this television genre—which has, through the years, included such programs as Beverly Hills 90210, Boston Public, Dawson's Creek, The OC, life as we know it, and One Tree Hill—seems designed to titillate adults, via caricatures of teens in what Brent Bozell, of the Parents Television Council, so aptly described as "teen sex-addict stereotypes" in an October 28, 2004, column. But, it is not only adults watching plot lines that all too often involve teens indulging in a variety of sexual situations, including sex with other teens, sex with adults, even teachers, and occasionally group sex. Teens are among the most faithful fans of these programs.

With these programs and scenarios in mind, it is interesting to consider some of the news stories that seem to pop up in clusters. Last year, we were flooded with news reports of children performing various sex acts in classrooms, in school restrooms and on school buses. We've learned about the trend towards teen and preteen hook-ups for sex with no strings, peer pressure and friends-with-benefits associations. We've seen homemade porn-style videos, created by teens, of adolescents engaging in group sex and homosexual behavior for the enjoyment of applauding teenage onlookers. We've also witnessed a surge in another type of news story.

Mary Kay Letourneau is an early, lurid example of this type of story—teacher student sex. She had two children by the boy she molested. The story made international news in 1997, when stories of this nature were still rare. However, scanning today's news, there are numerous examples of this type of abuse. So many, in fact, that they barely make national, let alone international, news.

On February 3, 2005, Jeremy Pawloski, of the Albuquerque Journal, reported that "the former Mesa Vista High School teacher arrested last week for having sex with a student married the pregnant 16-year-old on New Year's Day." A February 13, 2005, Associated Press headline in the Kansas City Star announced "Teacher-student sex cases continue to appear in Kansas." Tennessee is struggling with its third recent high profile teacher-student sex case. Texas, Nevada, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oregon are just a few of the many states to have news stories concerning teacher-student sex—and these are just the stories from the first part of February!

"It used to be unthinkable, but has become oddly routine," states a February 15, 2005, CBS report. Routine enough, it seems, for Congress to request a report from the U.S. Department of Education on educator sexual misconduct. Completed in 2004, the report revealed "that 9.6 percent of all students in grades 8 to 11 report contact and/or non-contact educator sexual misconduct that was unwanted." Unwanted, however, is a word to pay attention to, as often these teacher-student sexual unions are consensual, at least to the degree that a minor is able to consent.

Crime is a problem in public schools and much has been written about teacher's inability to maintain the level of discipline that was standard years ago. According to recent statistics prepared by the National Center For Education Statistics and released in the Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2004, in 2002 there were approximately 88,000 students between the ages of 12 and 18 that were victims of "serious violent crimes (including rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault)" at school.

Furthermore, according to the report, "annually, over the 5-year period from 1998 to 2002, teachers were the victims of approximately 234,000 total nonfatal crimes at school, including 144,000 thefts and 90,000 violent crimes (rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault)."

Yet, information in the 2004 report requested by Congress, Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature, as well as numerous news reports during the past few years, indicate that the numbers relating to school crimes may be too low, as school administrators strive to guard the reputations of their schools.

On page 11 of Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature, mention is made of "the difficulty of obtaining information on educator sexual misconduct" that the Seattle Times experienced while preparing a December 2003 series on the topic.

"When the Seattle Times asked the Bellevue School District for information about teachers and coaches accused of sexual misconduct, school officials and the state's most powerful union teamed up behind the scenes to try to hide the files. Bellevue school officials even let teachers purge their own records at union-organized "file parties" to prevent disclosure," according to the 147-page report. Furthermore, the report indicates that the official numbers of sex-related crimes may be low due to students' being hesitant to report such incidents.

Far more pervasive than actual crime, however, is yet another aspect of our current cultural climate that has settled into our public school systems. Taking their cues from the seemingly never-ending sexual revolution, which is the foundation upon which our popular culture firmly rests, school administrators have instituted a variety of educational and social policies that reflect a serious disconnect with the values and beliefs of the majority of Americans.

Zogby's 2004 poll on the topic of sex education found that the majority of parents believe children should be taught abstinence and the biological facts. 79% of parents responded that they strongly agreed that "the best choice is for sexual intercourse to be linked to love, intimacy and commitment" and "that these qualities are most to occur in a faithful marriage."

Yet, public school districts, such as those in Holyoke, Massachusetts, persist in giving condoms to 6th graders. In California, according to a December 3, 2004, World Net Daily report, "schools cannot inform parents if their children leave campus to receive certain confidential medical services that include abortion, AIDS treatment and psychological analysis, according to an opinion issued by the office of state Attorney General Bill Lockyer." These are just a couple of the policies that have made their way into public school systems throughout the nation.

Not only has a cultural climate that undermines the values and beliefs of most parents developed in the public school system, but, in addition, public schools are failing to educate children in the necessary scholastic subjects. The National Center For Educational Statistics reports of 8th graders that less than one third are able to write at a level deemed proficient, that 29% are reading at a proficient level, with proficiency in math being achieved by 23%, and proficiency in American History being reached by only 15% of students.

While it has been primarily religious leaders who have garnered the majority of media attention for calling upon parents to remove their children from public schools, such as in the case of the recent "exodus mandate" contemplated by Southern Baptists, secular thinkers are also speaking out in favor of leaving public schools behind. Because our country was built upon Judeo-Christian values, many who are not religious still hold basic, traditional values. Even secular parents are offended by 8th graders being told that "stripping and exotic dancing could be lucrative career moves for girls, offering as much as $250,000 or more per year, depending on their bust size" and that "for every two inches up there, you should get another $50,000 on your salary," as occurred in a Palo Alto middle school, according to a January 14, 2005, AP report on FoxNews.com.

Parents—religious and secular—are tired of this insanity. They are tired of the bizarre social engineering that disrespects their families and their values, and tired of the excuses given for substandard academic performance within the public schools. Homeschooling is now the fastest growing educational movement in the country.

Internet technology has made it easier than ever before for parents to take charge of their children's education. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in classes available via the computer specifically designed for homeschooling families. Through the homeschooling associations and collectives springing up all over the nation, there are numerous educational options and homeschooling support networks available to families. There are numerous low-cost or free programs, making home education a viable option for almost every family who desires it.

Scholastic performance statistics make it clear that more and more the public school system is failing to fulfill the purpose it was created for—namely, the education of our nation's youth in academic subjects. The administrative and educational policies of many public school districts make it clear that the decision makers are willing to ignore the values held by the majority of parents and to sacrifice the physical, psychological and sexual health of our nation's youth to appease those more concerned with advancing social agendas than with what is best for children. Perhaps the secular and religious thinkers and leaders are right, perhaps it is time for parents to remove their children—and thus, the per student government funding—from a tainted and failing system.

[Servant of the 9]

As long as public schools are taught by people with teaching degrees instead of real degrees and directed by thug unions instead of brains there is no hope for public education.

So9

[Minuteman23]

BTTT.

[Rocketman]

My Children tell other Children about God the bible Ruch Limbaugh, conservatism -- if they were to cut and run the students in their classes would have no witness other than the words of their liberal teachers.

My children far from perfect far from spiritual giants let their little lights shine in the darkness. Today Jon age 13 took to school an article to school from FR on the historic racism of the demoncrats and demoncratic party he had quite a stir with the article and your comments.

Someone has to do the work and if we talk and are close to our children with what they hear they learn discernment, they learn how to articulate what they beleive, and can tell others .

[thoughtomator]

No. It's past time.

[Next_Time_NJ]

So the exodus will go where? Private Schools? If that happened, they wouldnt be to private now would they..

As for sexuality and crime in schools, its natural progression of the mind. As people get more used to sex and crime, it becomes common place. Problem is, there is zero way to reverse it. You can help your family, but the country as a whole will just become more and more used to sex and crime.

[annyokie]

I really wish this canard about public schools would stop. My children have gone to both public and private schools over the course of their scholastic careers. I will take the public schools over the private schools everytime.

[annyokie]

TG you don't homeschool judging by your sentence structure and spelling.

[Just Lori]

There was a time when children actually learned useful things in public schools. They actually had to pass tests before they went on to the next grade. Now we have kids graduating from high school with a 3rd grade reading level. Where the hell did these "teacher's unions" come from???? No wonder home-schooling is becoming so popular!

[Indie]

I left the public schools behind when I grad HS in 1975. Back then, the good teachers still remained. But race riots and police swat teams on a suburban campus in NE Dallas near White Rock lake during the school day in an upper middle class neighborhood even then, showed the flaws of forced bussing and social engineering.

Both of my boys attend private Christian schools. Thank God.

[NEBUCHADNEZZAR1961]

So the exodus will go where? Private Schools? If that happened, they wouldnt be to private now would they..

The private schools aren't that far behind the public ones my friend.

[hinckley buzzard]

We need to build a wall of separation between school and state.

[1FASTGLOCK45]

All your private skools are belong to us! ! !

[1FASTGLOCK45]

OH Yea, and Your Publik Skools too!

[annyokie]

Your post is nonsense. My children attend fine public schools. They are tested weekly and are reprimended if they are behind. They are expected to be tidy and ready to learn.

They may pray for a classmate or whomever their teacher asks them to pray for. They had a Nativity play at Christmas and they are anticipating Easter.

My youngest child's teacher was voted Oklahoma state teacher of the year.

This chicken little nonsense is wearing thin with me.

[jonsie]

As a high school teacher in a public high school with over 800 computers, I am no longer a teacher but a computer, cell phone, headphone, dress code cop. So little time teaching, so much time being a pseudo-cop, as per school rules. (My apoligies to our wonderful police officers in using the term "cop").

[WindOracle]

That would be great if your kids education were not being sacrificed so they could bear witness to the other kids. I am not willing to do that with my kids future.

About a month ago I posted the following to a thread, but the thread had few people read it, so ya probably haven't. So forgive my posting this here, but it is easier than retdescribing it all, and it is even MORE on topic here than it was there.
.....
Last year, I took my son to New Orleans. When we returned, during a conversation with his 6th grade teacher, I told her I had taken him on the Mississippi Queen riverboat, at which time she asked me "what river is that on?". I was stunned, and had to bite my tongue from yanking her chain by saying it was the Nile. During the same conversation, she asked me if my son noticed the difference there. I asked what she meant, and she said "You know, the blacks and whites bathrooms and water-fountains". This woman, who graduated from college about 3 yrs earlier thought they still had segregation in the south.

At this point, my confidence in our education system was getting pretty shaky, not that it was ever very high.

This year they do the federal reading testing, and all parents get letters saying that our school came out a few points low, I cannot remember the cutoff score. Anyway, the upshot was that since the school a few miles up the road had a higher score, well above the requirements, the parents whose kids scored below a certain level could enroll their kids at the better school next year. I guess the theory is that "We are doing you a favor by letting you move your kid, who has reading problems, up to a school which is doing a better job". The reality is much different. By moving a few kids from this school, to the "better" one, the scores for this school raise next year, the scores for the "better" school drops a couple points, but is still above the cutoff point. Next Year they can say "Look at the scores, we have improved.. now give us more money", when in fact they have improved nothing. All they HAVE done is played a numbers game, passed the problem kids off onto someone else, and added a half hour to the bus ride for the kids.

Recently I went and hung out in my son's class for a couple hours, just to observe how things happen there. the kids are sharing tables, about 5 kids to each table. There seemed to be no structure at all, and kids were basically wandering around from table to table. The teacher spent his whole time behind his desk with his nose in a book and feet on his desk.

This same teacher later told me "It is not my job to teach them. I give them their assignments, and they are supposed to work it out and I help them when they really get hung up".

At this point, I am on the verge of pulling my kid outta this school.

The following week, 2 weeks ago, my son came home upset because a teacher had told him he could not wear his necklace to school. It is not as if such are forbidden, other kids wear jewelry and such in his class, but his is a cross about one inch high with a little tag that says "forgiven".

I am aware I do not have to let them push him around on that last issue, but at this point, I figured this school was not worth it anyway, and my son is now enrolled in a private school.

BTW, last week, my son and I were in the store. A lady I did not know asked me "Is your son's name William?". I said yeah, and she says "I thought I recognized him... I sometimes teach at this school and at the one in Noel". When I mentioned that he did not go to school here, and she asked about it, and I told her where he goes to school now, she tells me HER kids go to a private, Christian based school too. What does it tell us when the public school teachers send THEIR kids to private schools?

[annyokie]

What is your complaint exactly? You are in charge of teens who must use computers?

Get tough with your classes. I did it, albeit in grad school. No cell phones, no headphones and who cared what they wore.

[bray]

Our town HS has a Homosexual Principal, hmmmmm??? Glad my son is in a Christian School.

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