[Think free or die]

This is a very frustrating situation. I've run into the same mumbo-jumbo in our school district. For example, when funds for something come from outside the district from state or federal sources, the cost isn't counted. It seems not to exist. That's dishonest of course. Even though it isn't coming from the local tax base directly, we pay for it indirectly. I also find it disturbing that my retired parents in another state are helping to fund schools in our community. That's just not right . . .

I am currently in a teacher education program, preparing for yet another direction in life after having raised our kids. It's eye opening to see what teachers and school districts are dealing with, and it helps to understand the cost picture. Because of all the rights to education mandated at a federal, and to a lesser extent, state level, the public schools have become something of a dumping ground. Students with limited English proficiency, emotional problems, and significant learning or physical disabilities are all being placed in regular classrooms. I could end up trying to teach high school science in a classroom containing students who are blind, mentally retarded, hyperactive, dyslexic or recent immigrants. It would be my responsibility to teach them along with the other students who range from very bright to not-so-academic in ability. If you could see the variations on lesson planning that are expected of teachers, you'd be stunned. A truly conscientious teacher trying to meet all these competing demands could work 24/7 and still not do all that is possible and 'should' be done.

Some of these students have special support (e.g. dedicated aides, ESL classes, pull-out classes, technology assistance) and other do not. Those who have support are costing the districts a lot of additional money. Those who don't may be driving their teachers crazy with extra work.

I don't dispute that kids all need to be helped to learn. However, this system of 'let's pretend' where we dump them all into public schools, close our eyes to the cost, and demand that they all graduate from high school and go to college is absurd, costly, and inefficient. The system has developed with an underlying assumption that resources are unlimited and that if it's for the children it's all good. Unfortunately, one of the things that happens with these mandates is that school districts that can't afford all the spending cut costs of educational services to the average kids or the gifted. They can't cut special ed or parents will sue them.

I'm all in favor of school choice so that parents can better provide for their children. Unfortunately, this may also lead to public schools that are ever more burdened by the cost of serving the special needs population. I'm not too sure how that's all going to work. School choice helps the kids who get out, but the special needs population isn't going away and with all the mandated services to support them, the cost won't either.

[doug from upland]

Thanks for your response. In another lifetime, when I was just out of college, I taught for 5 years then went into the business world. It is, indeed, a frustrating situation for you. Good luck.