I’m only pointing this out because the fact that the last few winners have been home-schooled has been used as a talking point by the right-wing in order to both slam public school and flaunt the alleged superiority of home-schooling (a practice I find odd, personally, but I’m not going to totally get down on what is generally parents striving to have the best educational environment for their kids).
13-Year-Old New Jersey Girl Wins Scripps National Spelling Bee
Katharine “Kerry” Close, a 13-year-old speller from Spring Lake, N.J., won the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee Thursday night.
Kerry was named the Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion in the 20th round after correctly spelling the word “ursprache,” which is defined as “a parent language, especially one reconstructed from the evidence of later languages.”
Kerry’s school
The H. W. Mountz School provides a challenging educational environment for its 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The average class size of 17, together with in-class support and other extra-help programs, offers a comprehensive instructional delivery system to meet our children’s educational needs.
As much as I’d like to bash those opponents of public schools, those making the argument that these spelling bee finalists are there because of whatever schooling (public, private, homeschool, etc.) are just flat mistaken.
When a kid reaches these levels of spelling competition–even at the city or state levels–it’s no longer a function of their schools. It’s a function of the kid (and very likely the parents) making a concerted effort to prep the kid for a competition—in a very narrow academic pursuit– transcending any school curriculum.
Jadegold is certainly partially right, and this school is no regular school… It’s more like a Magnet school, or Kaleidoscope program, for gifted students.
I’m always right, Frankie. It’s a gift.
Again, at this level, it has nothing to do with the school.
You can’t get my name right — and I said partially.
As someone who is proud of being a product of the public school system, I also used to think home schooling was totally weird and anti-social. But recent events have made me rethink my position.
If the republicans keep winning national and local elections and keep appointing crazy judges, well the shoe may be on the other foot. In 15 years, it may be liberals home-schooling kids, knocking the inefficient public school system, and extolling the virtues of being able to teach kids real science.
I know that if the time comes for me to send my kid to school and she has to pray before class, the bible is taught in english class, and things like intelligent design become science class, I’m a gonna have to come up with a solution outside the public school system. I’ll be screaming for vouchers, talking about how shitty public schools are, and maybe even staying home with my kids.
Hopefully that day never comes, and I think it unlikely. But we’ve seen some crazy shit in the last few years.
tomboy: The Bible has been taught in Intro to World Lit in College since at least 1963. ID may be taught in science class, since “critical thinking” (used to be known as “re - inventing the wheel”) is all the rage.
Here’s who to contact:
http://www.allianceforschoolchoice.org/school_vouchers.aspx?=Google
http://www.xoverboard.com
August has his own angle.
It’s not about money per pupil, or class size. The South Bronx and Bronxville are not “right next door” by any stretch of the imagination.
Bronxville is a bedroom community of soccer Moms, and financial analyst Dads. I’m betting their per capita income is three or four times that of someone from the South Bronx.
You want some stats?
Check the number of Parent - Teacher conferences attended in each place, or PTA attendance in each place.
For that matter, check student attendance in each place.
“Class size” and “dollars per pupil” are Teachers’ Union code words for “We want more pay to teach in ‘tough’ schools”.
If you want to see an interesting take on education in the ghetto, watch Cold Case tonight.
Frank_D Says:
June 3rd, 2006 at 4:24 pm
You can t get my name right and I said partially.
You deliberately twist names, Frank. Does Jerky Knothead sound familiar?