Parents sue when third-grade honors students are not promoted to fourth grade

The Washington Post ^ | August 12, 2016 | Valerie Strauss

[BlackElk]

It is not my intention to be condescending. I simply have very strong beliefs on the subject.

In 1961, I was finishing my first year at a Jesuit prep school in Connecticut when my parents informed me that, since I refused to go to summer camp, I would have to attend the local public high school's summer school and take a course in touch typing and at least one other (astronomy) neither of which were available at the prep school. The real reason was that both of my parents were then factory workers and they did not want me hanging around all summer without adult supervision. My grandmother who lived in the first floor apartment in our three decker did not count since she was my pal and co-conspirator.

During my very first class (astronomy), I was informed by the teacher (an annoying atheist who thought that astronomy somehow proved the validity of atheism) that Dr. Sheridan would see me in her office after class. Dr. Susan Sheridan was an elderly retired New Haven Superintendent of Schools and a distinguished educator and out there on the left but a dedicated educator nonetheless.

I knocked on the jamb of the open door to her office. "Dr. Sheridan, I presume? My name is ________. What have I done to deserve this honor on my very first day in public school?" She answered: "You are the Jesuit prep school student. I wanted to pick your brain as to what makes them such outstanding educators to press their methods on our teachers. Would you mind spending time discussing that in my office while you are in the summer school (which she ran)?

A few years later when I spent my summers working in the railroad yards, I would stop by that high school in the afternoons to drive her home to the suburb where we both lived, just for the pleasure of her company (and to hear her informed opinions on the failures of public education in the 1960s.

I was also friendly with a very liberal Republican woman who had been Chairwoman of the Connecticut State School Board who shared many of Dr. Sheridan's observations as to the shortcomings of public schools. Fortunately, neither of them survives to see the drastic further degeneration of public education.

I am sorry if you feel I am condescending which is not my intent. I am occasionally wrong but never uncertain. I have taken the trouble throughout my life to cultivate the friendship and association of intelligent and informed people with whom I disagree. I want to hear them explain their views in conversation that is part of the ongoing interchange of views.

God bless you and yours!

[kalee]

Homeschool

[Xenodamus]

Very true, things may get messy real soon.