Charter Schools…A Panacea?

Our wonderful bookstore is passionate about education, reading, and everything related to being the best parents we can be.   Which is why we took notice when a new movie about education was brought to our attention.

The movie "Waiting for Superman" is fueling a bit of debate about our public school system and what should be done to fix it.

According to critics, the movie focuses on the failings of teachers’ unions and the tenure system and sings the praises of charter schools.   Recently, another new charter school opened in Chicago.  The CEO of Chicago Public Schools stated that there should be charter schools in every neighborhood.

But wait…aren’t there schools in every neighborhood already?   What will happen to the existing schools?  Will we cease to put any energies into improving the existing school structure, and completely replace the neighborhood schools with charter schools?  Will these schools be staffed by the same teachers and administrative folks?  Seems like that’s akin to merely shuffling the problem to a new facility.

My own two cents–there are failings on all sides–the school district, the unions, the teachers, the principals, the students, the parents, and the state board of education.  I’m throwing in the kitchen sink, because I think to oversimplify the problem means we’ll ignore the most viable solutions.  Charter schools are great.  Until the system is fixed, they are a band aid for a small minority of students who attend failing schools.

But don’t we owe it to the larger majority of students to make systemic changes that will make a difference in the quality of education they receive?  My friends, I, like many of us, don’t have the solution.

I do know one thing–

As parents, there are things we can do at home to combat the attitude that we find in some of our schools.

So, here’s my plug.  Let’s sit down and read.  No, I don’t think reading is a cure all (wouldn’t it be nice if it was??), but it sure does feel good to enjoy a good book and some quality time with your kiddos.

What are your thoughts on the movie and our education system in general?  We love a healthy, respectful conversation.

Happy Reading!

Numbers & Counting: A Great Multicultural Children’s Book

Sometimes it’s hard to find fun books dealing with counting, but we’re always looking.  Today, I want to share this wonderful  book that makes numbers fun.

Our definition of multicultural is pretty loose.  We include any and all books that celebrate children from a variety of races, and this book fits the bill.

Apple Countdown

By: Joan Holub, Illustrated by: Jan Smith

The kids are headed to an apple farm for a field trip, and there so many things to count along the way–the number of kids getting on the bus, miles til they arrive, and the things they might see at the orchard.

The simple, rhyming text and the school filled with children from a variety of races makes this book especially delightful.

Although this book is probably more appropriate for school age children to read independently, I find that it’s great for reading aloud to younger kids and helping them start learning to identify colors, numbers, and farm animal noises.

So, if you’re looking for a book that will help your little one with numbers and counting, this is a great addition to your child’s library.   The added bonus?  They’re learning, but it doesn’t really feel like learning.

Happy Reading!

Failing Schools..What’s A Parent To Do?

Normally I spend my few hundred words or so talking about a great book, a reading club we’ve created, or something happy and joyful related to an awesome multicultural book.

In the past few weeks, I have noticed more and more articles about students in trouble and troubled schools.

I recently read an article in the Chicago Tribune about the percentages of schools in the Chicago area that received a failing grade.  If you read the article, you’ll notice lots of quibbling over how the grading was performed and various theories for the motivation behind it, but that’s not my concern at the moment.

I was struck most by what something like this would mean for the children at those schools.  Twenty-five percent of elementary schools in Chicago received a failing grade.  What’s going on in those classrooms?  What’s going on at home?

Are we hiring capable, qualified teachers?  Are we setting the standards high enough?  Are we doing enough at home?  All questions, mind you, to which I do not have the answer.

I’ve never been one to blame any group–educators, parents, media, or government–entirely.  But, I do wonder how the shortcomings in all areas have created a colossal mess for our kids.

It goes without saying that I am not an education expert.  I admire men and women with the tenacity, patience, and courage to teach our kids.   I am a parent in the Chicago area.  So, this definitely worries me, and I hope it worries most parents who are or are considering sending their kid(s) to public school.  I’m sure similar stories can be told in urban areas across the country.

In Illinois we’re slashing education funding, but schools are still failing?!  I’m miffed, and I keep wondering what will it take to change this dire situation.

I have no stats to back this up at the moment (although I am certain they exist–I did some education related litigation work in a not too distant past), but a quality education touches on every facet of life–involvement in the criminal justice system, access to quality jobs or opportunities to start one’s own business, etc. etc. etc.

Like I said, I don’t have any solutions yet.  But,  I do think dialogue is important and a necessary precursor to action.  Our kids shouldn’t keep suffering at the hands of a misfiring education system.  With each passing week and month, this issue becomes nearer and dearer to my heart, because I will have a little one to send off to school.

On a side note, I’m reading a book recommendation entitled “Morning by Morning: How We Home Schooled Our African-American Sons to the Ivy League” by Paula Penn-Nabrit.   Now I should mention two things–I currently have no plans to home school, but I think that all parents are home-schoolers whether their kids go to a school outside of the home.  The second thing–don’t be discouraged from reading this if your kids happen to not be boys or African-American.  I think many of the principles and insights are applicable across race and gender.  Have you read it?  If so, give me your thoughts.  I would love to hear them.

I wish I could offer it for sale today in the bookstore, but our distributor no longer carries it.  Don’t worry, I’m looking around.  Hopefully, by the time I finish reading it and doing a book review (don’t time me), I will be able to offer it as a resource for parents.

Happy Friday and Happy Reading!