Don't get me wrong. I'm all for academic rigor. Kids should be challenged to their ability, but they should be in traditional schools. Students of varying skills should interact with each other. All kids should mix in P.E. and lunch and art/band. The 10th grader who is taking honors trig and pre-calculus shouldn't be removed from everyone else. When kids compare schedules, they'll all think they're in the same boat. Our smart kid isn't treated any differently just because he has Mrs. Bennett for math (honors trig and pre-calculus) in 1st period. Really, how different is that from the struggling kid who has math (standard Algebra I) from Coach Boyer right before lunch?
Seems to me that if a “least-advantaged” kid, they would benefit the most to be removed from the typical school environment.
I’m pretty familiar with one of those schools. These kids aren’t just smart. They’re way beyond smart. They are also extraordinarily disciplined and focused. As a former student at that school once told me, they are all “control freaks” who won’t let alcohol or drugs interfere with achieving their goals. They are challenged in every single class and all their classes are on an advanced or AP level. You just can’t do that in your local high school.
I would note that I never saw snobbery exhibited as it is at some more affluent public schools. Not once. Those kids had respect for each other and for their teachers. They were proud to go to that school, but honestly I never saw snobbery.
(did you mean to say h.s. should be one of the MOST egalitarian times?)
Making all schools equal is a magnet for mediocrity.
Inasmuch as govt's most important function is to protect the rights of its individual citizens, I want no part of it trying to promote "egalitarianism," other than that we are all equal in the eyes of the law.
Egalitarianism as a moral concept can be taught through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Churches are egalitarian ... that works out well.
Are you philosophically opposed to homes schooling as that is the ultimate in physical separation?
The stats say that only 6 out of 100 jr high students in CA will complete a four year college. A large percentage go on to more nefarious activities. I think it is pretty smart to remove a child from that environment at the earliest possible moment or better yet to never enter.
You are correct; you do not look down on someone because they lack a quality education or work in the trades but I also don’t think you throw them in with the wolves.