Greg Gutfeld rips a biased NY Times assault on private education:

New York Times reviewed by Polipundit... ^ | July 18th, 2006 | W.C. Varones

[GSlob]

And how did they define "comparable" children? Was it done by ethnicity? By parents' SES [socioeconomic status]? By child IQ? By child's height, weight, eye color, first letter of family surname or other suchlike? More information [than is provided] is needed to either accept or to refute their conclusions.

[george76]

Good job.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

[longtermmemmory]

does the NYT have some sort of "public school education program"?

I remember many decades ago, local papers used to provide materials and "stuff" to help train students to get into the habit of reading the newspaper.

Perhaps the NYT is threatened because they don't penetrate into private and homeschools.

Perhaps the NYT is too biased for anyone but public school teachers and so they are threatened by smart students.

[Sergio]

Funny thing about school budgets, at least here in California.

Let's say the statewide budget for education is set at $100M, and that the state lottery contributes $30M. You would think schools would have $130M in the budget.

Nope, still $100M, but the $30 million provided by the state lottery would replace $30M paid by property taxes, leaving the state a $30M windfall. Where does the extra $30M go? I don't know, but I do know that the government has never had problems spending our money.

This is the reason I always vote "no" on any ballot measure to increase money for schools by way of increased property taxes or bonds.

[Bigh4u2]

"Where does the extra $30M go?"

Ever met a 'poor' Senator or Congressman?

It's rhetorical!

:)

[Lancey Howard]

The New York Times, like its partner the Democrat Party, is deep in the pockets of the unions (including teachers) and the trial lawyers. Everything the NY Times prints must be viewed in that context.

[george76]

The Democrat Party needs the union money for election campaign spending, then the DUmmies need their union members to work for "free" ( actually paid by the union ) during the election season, and then the DUmmies need the dead and illegals to vote often for their candidates.

[sdillard]

What the Times article does not tell you is that public schools spend up to four times as much per pupil as private schools FOR THE SAME RESULTS. In California, when you add up ALL funding sources, we spend nearly over $10,000 per kid per year in public school. Catholic schools spend an average of $4000 per kid per year, yet turn out (what the Times insists) kids with the same level of competence. Personally, I think the study is bogus. Do any of you know kids who go to Catholic schools who are just a tad ahead of the public school kids?

[ga medic]

The higher cost in public school is due to special education. Public schools have to provide educational resources for each child, regardless of disability. Private and Catholic schools select students that they can accomodate. Think of all the disabilities, both mild and severe. Things like spina bifida, autism, and downs syndrome. They all receive a public school education if they choose. It costs a lot of money to educate all children.

[Humble Servant]

"The higher cost in public school is due to special education. Public schools have to provide educational resources for each child, regardless of disability. Private and Catholic schools select students that they can accomodate. Think of all the disabilities, both mild and severe. Things like spina bifida, autism, and downs syndrome. They all receive a public school education if they choose. It costs a lot of money to educate all children."

I've heard this, and want to see a really reliable assessment of the assertion. I'm dubious that it's as much of an impact as it's made out to be. I'm also aware that special ed has become big business for public schools, who get a lot of special money for special ed plans; hence what I've heard described often as an epidemic of overdiagnosis of ADD.

[Edison]

My town spends right at 11,000 per student and our high school is not state accredited. It doesn't me the state standards. My children attend Catholic school at a cost of around 3750 per child. Both kids score above 90% in the state standardized tests so I'd say I'm pretty happy with the extra money I spend on their education.

[ga medic]

You are lucky that your Catholic schools are so affordable. I spend 6150 for each one in K-8, and 10800 for my high schooler. Hopefully they will go to state colleges where they can qualify for assistance.

[CottonBall]

"Where does the extra $30M go?"

Ever met a 'poor' Senator or Congressman?

Actually, I get your point that our money is wasted on DC - but most Senators, Representatives, and Presidents take a pay cut when getting elected. Most are lawyers or businessmen that make a lot of money. I think they go into politics for the ego gratification. Which would explain some of the messes they've made.

[CottonBall]

"The higher cost in public school is due to special education...It costs a lot of money to educate all children."

...I'm dubious that it's as much of an impact as it's made out to be. I'm also aware that special ed has become big business for public schools, who get a lot of special money for special ed plans;...

I don't have any specific knowledge here - just joining the discussion. I imagine a large part of the cost of public education is having to have 'specialists' to deal with all types of so-called learning disabilites [can you hear my sarcasm? ;) ]. There's other costs, though, besides those. Public school teachers typically make more than private school teachers, and even if they don't - the pension plans and medical coverage is usually very generous. The cost of textbooks is outrageous these days - private school parents usually have to pay for those. Plus any sports or other activities the public schools pays for, while private schools has the parents pay. But - most importantly - I'll bet that ratio of the number of administrators to students is much higher in most public school districts. They're the ones that make big salaries. And probably don't do much to benefit the kids.

[CottonBall]

I spend 6150 for each one in K-8, and 10800 for my high schooler. Hopefully they will go to state colleges where they can qualify for assistance.

Ouch! That's wonderful of you to be willing to spend that kind of money. We finally realized our decision about education came down to either 1) using a private school, but not being able to save much for college (but maybe with the better education, scholarships would be offered or 2) public school and being able to pay for college (but maybe not being able to get in with an inferior education). I think most parents these days are in the same bind. Makes me long for the good ol' days, when my college cost about $2500 per year, including books! And public schools were worth going to and private schools were for the bad kids that got kicked out.

[Pharmboy]

OK--here's the Official List of Who The Times Will Defend At All Costs Against Any Negative Truth or Fact

Teachers' Unions
Gays
African Americans
Hispanics
Felons
Democrats
Gays
Communists
Journalists who do not work for the WSJ or The Washington Times
Liberals
Socialists
UN Officials
Gays
Transgendered African American Hispanic Illegal Aliens
Anyone Who Hates America
did I mention Gays?
Whom did I leave out??

Please Note: Any African American, Hispanic, Gay Person, etc., etc. who thinks for themself and does not toe the Times' party line IMMEDIATELY loses the protection of this high quality bird cage liner.

[Amelia]

The Times report says “Children in public schools generally performed as well or better in reading and mathematics than comparable children in private schools.” The actual study says, “In..both reading and mathematics, students in private schools achieved at higher levels than students in public schools.”

When they compared similar children, there was little difference between those in public schools and those in private schools.

Overall, those in private schools tend to do better because many private school students tend to be in higher socioeconomic groups, and most of the poor students tend to be in public schools.

[CottonBall]

Whom did I leave out??

Gays

[Pharmboy]

Welcome to FR! You got me--I LOL'd!

[george76]

Your point is well taken.

Parents who care about their kids and their education often do the best. The best parents go to the PTA meetings, to the Parent-Teacher conferences, check on the kids homework, go to after school sports and cultural events...

Many rich parents send the kids off to private boarding schools where the instruction maybe excellent, but the parents only see the kids for major holidays...then off to camp for the summer.

While money is important, caring and motivated parents is the most important...IMHO.

My main reason for this thread was to try to point out that Pinch and the NYTimes are double speaking on this , as most topics.