[heleny]

If it is not a home taught student winning these things, it is a private taught student.
Both simply provide a better education over public schools.

I don't want to get into a discussion about the numerous merits of homeschooling, but Spelling Bee winners must study the words on their own, regardless of what kind of school they attend. It helps if the contestants read a lot of books, have parents and friends who care about education, and perhaps study more languages, history, and science. Otherwise, studying for Spelling Bees has little to do with the quality of education (or lack therof) in private vs. public schools. If Sai Gunturi had attended a public school, he would still need to apply himself outside of class to learn the words; I wouldn't give his private school the credit for his own determination and hard work.

[OldFriend]

Just my two cents......my son in puplic school got a far far better education than my daughter got in private school.

It was the social environment that was not suitable for my daughter.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I wouldn't give his private school the credit for his own determination and hard work.

Excellent point and well stated.

[Emile]

If Sai Gunturi had attended a public school, he would still need to apply himself outside of class to learn the words; I wouldn't give his private school the credit for his own determination and hard work.

True enough. But isn't it just possible that the more rigorous the school academic environment, the more prepared, disciplined and motivated the student is to study and apply himself? In this respect, I believe the school deserves at least some indirect credit for the results. At the very least, it would sure explain the presence of non-government school children at the top of these competitions well out of proportion to their numbers in the general population.

[Capt.YankeeMike]

ref: your post #17. PHOOEY and BALONEY and MALARKEY. Private schooled kids and home schooled kids blow the public scrools out of the water in every category.

[CyberCowboy777]

Unfortunately you overlook the very purpose of public schools vs. private/home schools.

Public schools do not teach to learn, they do not teach to think. You are a number, a dollar amount and they must cram a certain amount of information into your head by graduation. Some will achieve to the low standards of public schools, others will blossom in college, most will become average citizens who don't vote and never realize the potential inside. The breakdown of our society shows this clearly.

You can spray whatever perfume you want on public ed. as it is today, it still stinks.

Our schools have been scientifically designed to prevent over-education from happening...The average American [should be] content with their humble role in life, because they're not tempted to think about any other role."
- William Harris, U.S. Commissioner of Education, 1889