Exodus: Is It Time To Leave Public Schools Behind?

Morality in Media ^ | February 2005 | Sharon Secor

[Coleus]

Exodus: Is It Time To Leave Public Schools Behind?

Educational statistics and news stories throughout the nation point to the dismal state of affairs in our public schools. The academic performance of the vast majority of junior and senior high school students today does not equal that of students 100 years ago. A near omnipresent popular culture awash in increasingly graphic sexual content and violent material, results of the rising tide of pornography and obscenity that floods our society, has seeped into almost every corner of our society. Even our schools have been tainted, so much so that a broad array of secular and religious thinkers and leaders are calling upon parents to remove their children from public schools.

As our popular culture has become increasingly sexualized, so, too, have media representations of children and adolescents and the world in which they live. During the past few years a number of television programs have sprung up around what the media seems to define as teen life, with school serving as one of the main settings.

Not surprisingly, given the sexual saturation of today's media, the typical portrayal of teens in this television genre—which has, through the years, included such programs as Beverly Hills 90210, Boston Public, Dawson's Creek, The OC, life as we know it, and One Tree Hill—seems designed to titillate adults, via caricatures of teens in what Brent Bozell, of the Parents Television Council, so aptly described as "teen sex-addict stereotypes" in an October 28, 2004, column. But, it is not only adults watching plot lines that all too often involve teens indulging in a variety of sexual situations, including sex with other teens, sex with adults, even teachers, and occasionally group sex. Teens are among the most faithful fans of these programs.

With these programs and scenarios in mind, it is interesting to consider some of the news stories that seem to pop up in clusters. Last year, we were flooded with news reports of children performing various sex acts in classrooms, in school restrooms and on school buses. We've learned about the trend towards teen and preteen hook-ups for sex with no strings, peer pressure and friends-with-benefits associations. We've seen homemade porn-style videos, created by teens, of adolescents engaging in group sex and homosexual behavior for the enjoyment of applauding teenage onlookers. We've also witnessed a surge in another type of news story.

Mary Kay Letourneau is an early, lurid example of this type of story—teacher student sex. She had two children by the boy she molested. The story made international news in 1997, when stories of this nature were still rare. However, scanning today's news, there are numerous examples of this type of abuse. So many, in fact, that they barely make national, let alone international, news.

On February 3, 2005, Jeremy Pawloski, of the Albuquerque Journal, reported that "the former Mesa Vista High School teacher arrested last week for having sex with a student married the pregnant 16-year-old on New Year's Day." A February 13, 2005, Associated Press headline in the Kansas City Star announced "Teacher-student sex cases continue to appear in Kansas." Tennessee is struggling with its third recent high profile teacher-student sex case. Texas, Nevada, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oregon are just a few of the many states to have news stories concerning teacher-student sex—and these are just the stories from the first part of February!

"It used to be unthinkable, but has become oddly routine," states a February 15, 2005, CBS report. Routine enough, it seems, for Congress to request a report from the U.S. Department of Education on educator sexual misconduct. Completed in 2004, the report revealed "that 9.6 percent of all students in grades 8 to 11 report contact and/or non-contact educator sexual misconduct that was unwanted." Unwanted, however, is a word to pay attention to, as often these teacher-student sexual unions are consensual, at least to the degree that a minor is able to consent.

Crime is a problem in public schools and much has been written about teacher's inability to maintain the level of discipline that was standard years ago. According to recent statistics prepared by the National Center For Education Statistics and released in the Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2004, in 2002 there were approximately 88,000 students between the ages of 12 and 18 that were victims of "serious violent crimes (including rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault)" at school.

Furthermore, according to the report, "annually, over the 5-year period from 1998 to 2002, teachers were the victims of approximately 234,000 total nonfatal crimes at school, including 144,000 thefts and 90,000 violent crimes (rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault)."

Yet, information in the 2004 report requested by Congress, Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature, as well as numerous news reports during the past few years, indicate that the numbers relating to school crimes may be too low, as school administrators strive to guard the reputations of their schools.

On page 11 of Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature, mention is made of "the difficulty of obtaining information on educator sexual misconduct" that the Seattle Times experienced while preparing a December 2003 series on the topic.

"When the Seattle Times asked the Bellevue School District for information about teachers and coaches accused of sexual misconduct, school officials and the state's most powerful union teamed up behind the scenes to try to hide the files. Bellevue school officials even let teachers purge their own records at union-organized "file parties" to prevent disclosure," according to the 147-page report. Furthermore, the report indicates that the official numbers of sex-related crimes may be low due to students' being hesitant to report such incidents.

Far more pervasive than actual crime, however, is yet another aspect of our current cultural climate that has settled into our public school systems. Taking their cues from the seemingly never-ending sexual revolution, which is the foundation upon which our popular culture firmly rests, school administrators have instituted a variety of educational and social policies that reflect a serious disconnect with the values and beliefs of the majority of Americans.

Zogby's 2004 poll on the topic of sex education found that the majority of parents believe children should be taught abstinence and the biological facts. 79% of parents responded that they strongly agreed that "the best choice is for sexual intercourse to be linked to love, intimacy and commitment" and "that these qualities are most to occur in a faithful marriage."

Yet, public school districts, such as those in Holyoke, Massachusetts, persist in giving condoms to 6th graders. In California, according to a December 3, 2004, World Net Daily report, "schools cannot inform parents if their children leave campus to receive certain confidential medical services that include abortion, AIDS treatment and psychological analysis, according to an opinion issued by the office of state Attorney General Bill Lockyer." These are just a couple of the policies that have made their way into public school systems throughout the nation.

Not only has a cultural climate that undermines the values and beliefs of most parents developed in the public school system, but, in addition, public schools are failing to educate children in the necessary scholastic subjects. The National Center For Educational Statistics reports of 8th graders that less than one third are able to write at a level deemed proficient, that 29% are reading at a proficient level, with proficiency in math being achieved by 23%, and proficiency in American History being reached by only 15% of students.

While it has been primarily religious leaders who have garnered the majority of media attention for calling upon parents to remove their children from public schools, such as in the case of the recent "exodus mandate" contemplated by Southern Baptists, secular thinkers are also speaking out in favor of leaving public schools behind. Because our country was built upon Judeo-Christian values, many who are not religious still hold basic, traditional values. Even secular parents are offended by 8th graders being told that "stripping and exotic dancing could be lucrative career moves for girls, offering as much as $250,000 or more per year, depending on their bust size" and that "for every two inches up there, you should get another $50,000 on your salary," as occurred in a Palo Alto middle school, according to a January 14, 2005, AP report on FoxNews.com.

Parents—religious and secular—are tired of this insanity. They are tired of the bizarre social engineering that disrespects their families and their values, and tired of the excuses given for substandard academic performance within the public schools. Homeschooling is now the fastest growing educational movement in the country.

Internet technology has made it easier than ever before for parents to take charge of their children's education. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in classes available via the computer specifically designed for homeschooling families. Through the homeschooling associations and collectives springing up all over the nation, there are numerous educational options and homeschooling support networks available to families. There are numerous low-cost or free programs, making home education a viable option for almost every family who desires it.

Scholastic performance statistics make it clear that more and more the public school system is failing to fulfill the purpose it was created for—namely, the education of our nation's youth in academic subjects. The administrative and educational policies of many public school districts make it clear that the decision makers are willing to ignore the values held by the majority of parents and to sacrifice the physical, psychological and sexual health of our nation's youth to appease those more concerned with advancing social agendas than with what is best for children. Perhaps the secular and religious thinkers and leaders are right, perhaps it is time for parents to remove their children—and thus, the per student government funding—from a tainted and failing system.

[RavenATB]

"I assure you there are a great many more stats out there about public schools than homeschoolers."

Your assurances aren't really germane to the argument. There is plenty of data available for those who seek it.

"As to their effectiveness, do you really think that Harvard, MIT, Oxford and the other prestigious schools are filled with only Private Sch/homeschooled kids?"

Colleges accept students for a number of reasons. And academic achievement isn't always their #1 priority. Moreover, many of this nation's brightest and most conservative students wouldn't be caught dead on the Harvard campus. So, even if we assume the most of your argument...such as it is...it still doesn't speak to the issue of the overall performance of public education.
Let's start back about 20 years ago. There's a lot of data that's more current--much of it less flattering to public education than the following report. But this is a good place to start. From the US Dept of Education Report (1983): "A Nation At Risk"
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk/risk.html

"If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war. As it stands, we have allowed this to happen to ourselves. We have even squandered the gains in student achievement made in the wake of the Sputnik challenge. Moreover, we have dismantled essential support systems which helped make those gains possible. We have, in effect, been committing an act of unthinking, unilateral educational disarmament."

"The educational dimensions of the risk before us have been amply documented in testimony received by the Commission. For example:

International comparisons of student achievement, completed a decade ago, reveal that on 19 academic tests American students were never first or second and, in comparison with other industrialized nations, were last seven times.

Some 23 million American adults are functionally illiterate by the simplest tests of everyday reading, writing, and comprehension.

About 13 percent of all 17-year-olds in the United States can be considered functionally illiterate. Functional illiteracy among minority youth may run as high as 40 percent.

Average achievement of high school students on most standardized tests is now lower than 26 years ago when Sputnik was launched.

Over half the population of gifted students do not match their tested ability with comparable achievement in school.

The College Board's Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) demonstrate a virtually unbroken decline from 1963 to 1980. Average verbal scores fell over 50 points and average mathematics scores dropped nearly 40 points.

College Board achievement tests also reveal consistent declines in recent years in such subjects as physics and English.

Both the number and proportion of students demonstrating superior achievement on the SATs (i.e., those with scores of 650 or higher) have also dramatically declined.

Many 17-year-olds do not possess the "higher order" intellectual skills we should expect of them. Nearly 40 percent cannot draw inferences from written material; only one-fifth can write a persuasive essay; and only one-third can solve a mathematics problem requiring several steps.

There was a steady decline in science achievement scores of U.S. 17-year-olds as measured by national assessments of science in 1969, 1973, and 1977.

Between 1975 and 1980, remedial mathematics courses in public 4-year colleges increased by 72 percent and now constitute one-quarter of all mathematics courses taught in those institutions.

Average tested achievement of students graduating from college is also lower."

[annyokie]

I am truly becoming troubled by the reading skills of many of our fellow posters.

Apparently, at least in our FRiends case, they have never wagged a toe out of their own sphere of living. Calling off and calling out are East Coast terms, like waiting on line rather than calling in and waiting in line.

It's ignorance of nomenclature and regional idioms.

I hope cookie monster is feeling better soon.

[RavenATB]

"You know Raven, you as a teacher are probably one of the best arguments I've ever seen as a reason to not send a kid to public schools. I'm guessing your departure warmed the hearts of many?"

Are your arguments completely limited to this childish little swipes?

You have no idea of my abilities and/or performance as a teacher. Which, come to think of it, is pretty much a mirror image of what you've been shown to know about public education.

"Cute" is most clearly your limit.

[Gabz]

Another of the "undead" threads, I guess.

My tag lines change periodically - it depends on my mood or what issue I happen to be dealing with at a given time.
This new one came about today after having been accused of being part of a "tag team" on this thread.

I am afraid that you are going to be next being thrown into the "tagteam" category because you have made the crucial mistake of speaking civilly with the 2 of us, and even "gasp" voicing the possibility of maybe at some point placing your own children into a public school system.

[Gabz]

LOL - see my previous post!!!

Undead threads - ROFL!

[annyokie]

You are not a nice man. I am quite pleased that you have stopped teaching. You embody what many of us dislike in teachers and that is your smarmy superior attitude. I doubt that your co-workers and students mourn your loss or miss you.

[annyokie]

LOL Great minds, Sis!

[borntobeagle]

My goodness, I was blown away when I fired up the PC tonight. I could not believe the extent that people go to try to call a person a troll! That must have taken him/her hours to research!

It made me laugh, not at your expense, but at the level people go to. Almost a witch-hunt.

I wonder if you can help me find my way to the Undead thread. Is it a night-owl area? That has been my problem on FR, I always seem to have my nights free to FReep, and all the good threads seem to happen during the daytime.

I had really enjoyed the FReeper family Table that grellis hosts, but it's just too early for me to get to the PC.

Yeah, I do believe you are a couple of tough cookies. Now go have smoke....or shall I say, I'm off to have one. hehehe

[annyokie]

You'll excuse me for a moment since, lousy public schooling mother that I am, I am going to read with my underprivileged public schooled child.

[annyokie]

Go to the Undead Thread here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1306051/posts

[Gabz]

I guess I best get back into my best radio persona of not using any regional idioms........yeah, right.

Some of the letters we got at the radio station I worked at in Maryland were hilarious, spelling and grammar were absolutely nonexistent in their complaints that I should be fired because I didn't know how to speak English (usually spelled inglush) and some of these letters came from rather prominent people in the area who were not products of public schools, but rather the "alleged" better private schools of the area.

cookie monster seemed to be feeling much better this evening than she has all day, but I don't plan on taking any chances and so will keep her home again tomorrow. (and thanks for reminding me I need to fix my homepage!)

[annyokie]

I'm glad cookie monster is feeling better. Did she eat some dinner tonight?

Mine are hacking and sniffling, but so are D and I. I think it is our looming Spring allergy season.

[RavenATB]

"You are not a nice man. I am quite pleased that you have stopped teaching. You embody what many of us dislike in teachers and that is your smarmy superior attitude. I doubt that your co-workers and students mourn your loss or miss you."


Do you actually have anything to offer besides these childish jabs and amateur assessments?
Is this the way you "prove" that American public education isn't failing a hundreds of thousands of American kids every year?

[Gabz]

AH HA - the FReeper Family table, on Friday - that's where I know you from!!!! I love it when I can make a good connection. Friday afternoon is hubby and my date time, so I rarely get more than a couple posts there between chores and before we head out for lunch and some adult friend time.

Word for the Day is daily thread that usually keep up at night and I know I have failed to keep you pinged to that one.........and I did promise anny I would get her on that ping list.....sometimes my brain is like jello!!!!

The weather is supposed to turn really bad over night tonight, which is why I will be keeping the yung'un home again, even if her fever has broken, ..................oh wait, I'm a parent that sends her child to public school, so I obviously don't care about her education, let alone her health or well being.

[annyokie]

Point that finger back at your self, mister. I have stated many, many times up this thread that I have had children in schools both public and private. As well as that I have friends who teach at all levels from elementary to University and, yes, a new one in State Prisons.

Of course the system is failing children by the thousands every year. I haven't seen post one that says otherwise. Quitting and then berating others for hanging tough isn't helping. It is quitting.

[RavenATB]

"You are not a nice man. I am quite pleased that you have stopped teaching. You embody what many of us dislike in teachers and that is your smarmy superior attitude. I doubt that your co-workers and students mourn your loss or miss you."


Again, and again, you offer absolutely nothing of substance with which to defend the state of public education in this country.

Your assessments are based on absolutely nothing of substance. You need to find a reason to condemn, because you've shown yourself to be completely without substance with which to debate your point of view.

You are, quite clearly, out of gas.

[annyokie]

Pffttt! Keep her home and beat her, just like you do on the weekends and in the summer. Don't try to con us. {{razz}}

[usslsm51]

Ego

[annyokie]

Having had children in schools for over 20 years is not substantive to you? I am not a teacher, but I am well-educated as is my husband. I guess, to your mind, if I had a teaching credential than I could comment?

My boys have gone to good and bad public and private schools. Quite honestly, from the comments you have made, were a child of mine in your charge, they would be out of said school and on a different path.

[Gabz]

ROFL!!!!!!!!

The lousy public schooling daddy was in charge of reading to the underprivileged public school child tonight.........he felt this lousy public schooling mother had done her duty to the underprivileged public schooled child who was home sick today.

making that silly comment brought a thought across my mind..........I'm a SAHM, but my child goes to school and my husband goes to work - if I'm sick I've got the house to myself and can stay in bed if need be (it happened 2 weeks ago). What happens when a SAHM that homeschools gets sick? It's not that big a deal to me because I rarely get sick, and I'm not trying to use that as a justification for not homeschooling, I just never thought of it.