My
son is smart, and I am not saying that just because I am his mother. He is
really smart. His cognitive scores were a year and a half higher than his age.
So, why does he struggle in a Pre- K classroom of fourteen kids? The noises and
movements in a classroom distract him from reaching his full potential. As an
educator and his mother, I wish classrooms were not as crowded and busy. Due to
funding, our system tries to max out each classroom with students instead of
making the student / teacher ratio realistic for everyone to be at their best.
And when I say everyone, I mean the teacher too. Teachers are stretched thin
when classrooms are crowded. For this reason, I struggle with the decision next
year to send my child to public school. This is why I am researching our
options and the pros/ cons to each.
Public School
Pros
Already
paid for through taxes
Special
Needs programs in place – 504/ IEP
Special
Needs Staff for facilitating
Experienced
educators with teaching degrees / certificate
State
mandated Curriculum and testing
Family
is connected to the community
Sports
programs
Music
/ Fine arts programs
Diversity
of students
Transportation
Choice
in clothing
Cons
Several
children in the class
Classes
taught at mid level unless teacher decides to differentiate for students
Peer
problems
Busy
work
Private School
Pros
Less
children in the classroom
Social
interaction
Religious
education
Set
curriculum
Better
books and supplies due to more funding
More
technology
Great
fine arts program
High
tuitions and many additional fees
No
Special Needs Program
Classrooms
do not have extra staff for facilitators
Teachers
are not required to have a teaching degree or certificate
Application
process- family interview, entrance exams
Not
as many sports available
Lack
of diversity of students
No
transportation
Uniforms
Home school
Pros
Classes
on your schedule (you can set around therapy times)
One
on one instruction
Undivided
attention to meet child’s needs
State
Curriculum (K12) – free
Choice
in clothing
Closer
family relationship
Able
to extend learning with extra field trips
Emotional
freedom (no bullies, big crowds, pressure)
Well
rested kids
No
busy work
No
social interaction/ feeling isolated
More
responsibilities for the parents
No
Sports or Fine Arts Programs
Looking
at this list, I am still not sure what the best fit is for us. I never thought I would be looking at other
options for schooling. I
loved teaching in the public school system, and I always saw my children at my
school. My
prayer is that God may guide us and clarify the right route for us to take.
That route might mean trying public school to see if it is a good fit before
exploring other options. I do not know. I am glad I have almost a year to sit
on this. In the end, all I really want is for my
child to reach his best potential and be the best he can be.
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