Public Schools

Ashton and I have had several discussions over the years, and particularly lately, about public schools. We had different experiences growing up in the public school system, which have led to different opinions on what's best for our kids. We do agree, however, that public schools today have many things wrong with them.

Some of the biggest problems with today's public school system come from this increasing argument that things should be fair. I don't mean fair as in students not cheat on tests, or anything like that. No, I mean fair as in everything should be equal. One school went so far as to say that kids in an AP class couldn't use any outside resource for homework. They were also not allowed to discuss homework or what they learned in class with anyone, including parents. (Click here for the story.) Why would they do this? Their excuse is that it's not fair for some students who don't have as many resources as other kids do.

What these teachers don't seem to grasp is that life isn't fair. Some students don't have as many people or resources to fall back on, but that's a good thing in some ways. It means that they'll have to work harder, which will make them stronger. They will learn to compensate for what they don't have with what they do have. Why would you hold back a class from using their brains and creativity merely because some aren't as fortunate as others? It's the worst kind of pity, because it's damaging. You will not only teach the students that aren't as fortunate that they should expect to have their hand held through every difficult situation, but you will also keep other students from learning to their full capacity. If you want to actually help those kids who are behind or struggling, help the kids gain access to the resources. Make yourself more available if possible, or suggest they use the library, or suggest that students pair up to work on assignments.

Certainly, it's not all schools or all teachers who exclaim the need for fairness in classrooms, but it does seem to be an ever growing concern. There are people protesting various political issues exclaiming the want for fairness or equality between everyone. There are also people who try to make sports fair by bizarre methods. I've never heard or seen anything quite like this. Life is only fair in that every person can make what they can from it. I may not have the same opportunities as my next door neighbor, but that doesn't make me worse off. It just makes my life different.

I won't get into the other things that drive me nuts about the public school system. Sorry for the rant, but I feel much better!