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This might be a good place to grouse about my latest dealings with public education, something I've not had to deal with for a long time. After looking at my job prospects during the past month since I relocated my family from Asia, I decided that I would set aside my negative attitude towards public education and apply for a teaching job in the field of ESL (English as a Second Language). There are supposedly a fast-growing number of jobs in this field around here and since I have an MA in linguistics, several years experience teaching English, was an editor for a professional ESL journal, and developed and taught a training course for people wanting to learn how to teach ESL, I thought I had a pretty open door.

WHAM! That was what it sounded like yesterday when a big door was slammed in my face. I had talked to an administrator at a nearby school district who confirmed that she was trying to fill a position for an ESL job. She admitted she was not at all satisfied with the one applicant she had and was immediately impressed with my experience. But soon after I sent her my resume, she responded that her supervisor (probably the superintendent) would not give her permission to even consider me for the job. Regulations dictate that if one person with a teaching license applies for the job, they cannot hire someone who does not have a license no matter how much experience they have.

In the past couple of weeks, I've heard from several people who complain about the stupid hiring rules the public schools operate on. They set up barriers to keep out the best and brightest and thereby make themselves all feel especially qualified because they alone can get these high-paying jobs.

My attitude was already pretty low towards the whole system after yesterday's rejection, but when my daughter came home from her first day in public school in her life yesterday (she's 14 years old, homeschooled since age 5) and said that she's supposed to sell magazine subscriptions to raise money for the school -- not for any particular function such as a band trip, but just to go into the school coffers -- I blasted the whole system and almost got sent out of the house for my tirade.

Anyone else have similar experiences with our public schools?

Yes, I remember the numerous fund raisers and begging for simple school supplies like pencils, kleenex and notebook paper from school officials. Selling magazine subscriptions, over-priced wrapping paper and thousands of candy bars were a constant when my son attended both private and public schools. Kids (and parents) who didn't pitch-in were sent home notes by the under-paid teachers and over-paid administrators stating that so-and-so was not behaving with proper "school spirit." Though time-consuming (on top of LOADS of busy-work, er, homework) and frustrating, fund raisers were not the only reason that I finally pulled my son out of public school and began to homeschool him. (My list is long. I have already posted my reasons on many homeschool-related threads!)

My question to you is: After years of homeschooling, why has your daughter started attending a public school at the age of fourteen? Even though homeschooling has been a smashing success in my household, I am a realist and know that homeschooling is not for every child or parent. Were things not working out? Not being judgemental. Just curious.

SY - -
A story in a similar vein - - my daughter's best friend got her degree in education and was looking forward to teaching. She went on a job interview (she was going to do an internship before going full time) and the folks interviewing her (I think there were three in the room), didn't ask her about her teaching credentials or what she hoped to accomplish.....nope, their first question to her was to ask about her feelings about the abortion issue. She is pro-life and said so. Needless to say, they didn't have a place on the facilty for her.

She's now working as an account manager for a large insurance firm - - and, she feels, she's happier than she would be swimming upstream in the filth that is now the public school system.

I hs-ed one of my daughters half the year last year. This year I plan to hs both my 1st and 2nd grader. I have so many exciting ideas and plans. Believe me, they won't be bored or socially isolated. For all the time public school wanted me to put in just to make sure they could do an average job educating my children, I quickly figured out I coud do it myself and not put up with all the other junk. Help in the classroom, at recess, lunchroom, parties, field trips, PTO, sell stuff etc... Every time I did help out I would just get frustrated seeing all the wasted time and thinking I could be using that time to make sure my own kids get a good education. Why was I wasting my time teaching some other parent's kid his colors in kindergarten when my own have known that since age 3? It seemed like nothing but a babysitting service with a little 'learning' thrown in on occasion. with hs-ing, there is little wasted time and you KNOW if your child has learned something. If they get it, move on, if not, stick with it until they do. Very simple and rewarding. Now if I could just get the naysayers off my back and be left alone to do what I know in my heart it best, everything would be great!

Your experience on being rejected for an ESL position in the public schools is unfortunately common. America is filled with people who would be excellent teachers. But the schools are not filled with excellent teachers.
The reason is the "make-work" rules of the "edukachun" unions. Until we break the backs of these leeches, the "publik skools" will continue to decline in quality and increase in cost.
I have had at least 12 excellent -- meaning "life-changing" -- teachers in 22 years of education, and counting. Less than half of them were certified, public school teachers, and two were not even "teachers" at all, they were a librarian and a schoutmaster.
Do the best for your children, which probably means keeping them away from the public schools. But do the best for your community as well. If you have an elected school board, consider running for it. I have not heard of a home-schooling parent being elected to a school board. It could be an eye-opening experience for the Board, for you, and for your community.

Congressman Billybob

Click for: "Memo to Li'l Tommy Daschle: 'You're Busted.'"