First and foremost I want to thank you Robert for letting me, a non paying follower of you, to share my thoughts and views. There are a lot who won't let a non follower respond, I accept the fact they're writing for the $$$. You and a couple others welcome the ideas and thoughts of those realize not all can that to subscribe feasible at this time. But look what they, the other writers, are missing out on.
That said, I want to point out that only a part of the state money follows the student to a charter/private school. I've been in favor of this for a long time. Of course whenever government is involved with anything it's a boondoggle but on public education there is no other choice. Our first child attended, and we paid, kindergarten at a parochial school because our public school was 1/2 days and we felt he needed full days. We had an option and took it. Yes todays diversity of students has created problems with teachers having to spend more time with certain students and holding back what possibly should be the progress of class overall for the year. A person in my family always wanted to teach and was very good at it, got national award 2 or 3 yrs after starting. The kids that took her class were going to learn and they did, the community, the parents and students thought the world of her. Why leave after 9 yrs and go to private sector, not for the money, it was parents? The parents would lie for the kids on why they weren't in school and it was not the Hispanic but the white. She knew that Hispanics had to stay home and babysit sometimes. With the breakdown of the traditional 'family' structure over the years and more blended families, step parents in the home, maybe only one parent in the household (that one maybe not a biological) has caused a strain into the public school system. Now, I realize this is not the dominant factor but I feel is a very big contributing one. I sure don't have an answer, but as I say 'when u get government involved'. A lot politicians feel 'just throw more money at education', and well we've seen that sure doesn't work.
I am seeing more home schooling for those that are unable to get their children into a private school for whatever reason. I know a family, 3 children, the mother's job is being discontinued, the father has a steady ave job. They tend to a big garden, can a lot of their garden production, send kids to a private religious based school. They just got house paid off, selling 2nd vehicle as she is going to stay home and home school. Not everyone can do this but u must admire them choosing an alternative.
And then all the finger pointing especially by political parties, what a sad bunch of horse biscuits.
Sometimes things have to get so bad before they get better. I've thought this for a long time. All my children went to a 3A school, were involved as we were also, my wife was on school board.
Two of my very best friends I have in Iowa are (now retired) schoolteachers. Each of them taught me the virtues of public education that benefits all kids, of all races, of all social economic status, of all physical and mental capability. What is happening now, politically, and with prejudice, will empty the Iowa Public School Districts of the mission statement all of us are aware of. Leave enough kids on the sidelines without quality first class public school educational opportunities, and they will fail in life and probably not care to vote. Oh, wait a minute, maybe that is the Republican intent all along. (sigh).
Years ago I had to fight for my rights to continue as a teacher and I was successful but I can't imagine how much more difficult it would be as I've watched what's happening today. The irony is that many people who applause this have no idea how it will negatively affect their descendants.
I hope the voters of Senate District 35 realize that a fair number of their children will one day be taking care of them in their later years. Surely they will want those care takers to have good thinking skills, many of which they acquire now in public school.
Thanks for this, Robert. I shared it with my sister who lives in District 35.
First and foremost I want to thank you Robert for letting me, a non paying follower of you, to share my thoughts and views. There are a lot who won't let a non follower respond, I accept the fact they're writing for the $$$. You and a couple others welcome the ideas and thoughts of those realize not all can that to subscribe feasible at this time. But look what they, the other writers, are missing out on.
That said, I want to point out that only a part of the state money follows the student to a charter/private school. I've been in favor of this for a long time. Of course whenever government is involved with anything it's a boondoggle but on public education there is no other choice. Our first child attended, and we paid, kindergarten at a parochial school because our public school was 1/2 days and we felt he needed full days. We had an option and took it. Yes todays diversity of students has created problems with teachers having to spend more time with certain students and holding back what possibly should be the progress of class overall for the year. A person in my family always wanted to teach and was very good at it, got national award 2 or 3 yrs after starting. The kids that took her class were going to learn and they did, the community, the parents and students thought the world of her. Why leave after 9 yrs and go to private sector, not for the money, it was parents? The parents would lie for the kids on why they weren't in school and it was not the Hispanic but the white. She knew that Hispanics had to stay home and babysit sometimes. With the breakdown of the traditional 'family' structure over the years and more blended families, step parents in the home, maybe only one parent in the household (that one maybe not a biological) has caused a strain into the public school system. Now, I realize this is not the dominant factor but I feel is a very big contributing one. I sure don't have an answer, but as I say 'when u get government involved'. A lot politicians feel 'just throw more money at education', and well we've seen that sure doesn't work.
I am seeing more home schooling for those that are unable to get their children into a private school for whatever reason. I know a family, 3 children, the mother's job is being discontinued, the father has a steady ave job. They tend to a big garden, can a lot of their garden production, send kids to a private religious based school. They just got house paid off, selling 2nd vehicle as she is going to stay home and home school. Not everyone can do this but u must admire them choosing an alternative.
And then all the finger pointing especially by political parties, what a sad bunch of horse biscuits.
Sometimes things have to get so bad before they get better. I've thought this for a long time. All my children went to a 3A school, were involved as we were also, my wife was on school board.
Once again, a sincere Thank You Robert.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Do.
Two of my very best friends I have in Iowa are (now retired) schoolteachers. Each of them taught me the virtues of public education that benefits all kids, of all races, of all social economic status, of all physical and mental capability. What is happening now, politically, and with prejudice, will empty the Iowa Public School Districts of the mission statement all of us are aware of. Leave enough kids on the sidelines without quality first class public school educational opportunities, and they will fail in life and probably not care to vote. Oh, wait a minute, maybe that is the Republican intent all along. (sigh).
Years ago I had to fight for my rights to continue as a teacher and I was successful but I can't imagine how much more difficult it would be as I've watched what's happening today. The irony is that many people who applause this have no idea how it will negatively affect their descendants.
I hope the voters of Senate District 35 realize that a fair number of their children will one day be taking care of them in their later years. Surely they will want those care takers to have good thinking skills, many of which they acquire now in public school.
Sharp man w great insights. How red is his district?
Laura Belen has the data here. https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2024/12/27/democrat-mike-zimmer-running-in-iowa-senate-district-35/