Obama Girls To Attend Private School
I hate to say it, but Obama has already made a blunder. He is a politician, which means he’s supposed to piss off at least half the people most of the time, so I suppose I shouldn’t be so shocked. I really, really like him, but when it comes to fearless leaders, we can’t let ourselves be blinded by respect and adoration. He was bound to screw up at some point, I just can’t believe it was so quick and for something so easily side-stepped: Michelle and Barack will be sending their daughters to the private Sidwell Friends School in D.C., not a public school.
I get it that the girls attended private school in Chicago, and that attending a private school in D.C. will make security measures more feasible. Also, apparently Joe Biden’s grandkids attend the Sidwell Friends School, too, which may have been a scale-tipper. Friends, schmends; security, schmecurity! What’s so bad about public school?
Of course, one can always use the argument that I went to public school (and look how I turned out). But there’s also the point my father has always made, that the only way to improve public schools is for the parents with the interest, means, voice and impetus to effect change to enroll their kids in the public school system and to work to change public education from the inside out.
The Obamas did at least go through the motions of checking out some D.C. public schools. And as far as private schools go, Sidwell is a Quaker school; I have never found anything lacking with the Quaker education philosophy, nor have I ever been able to come up with anything negative to say about the Quakers (they had me at “underground railroad”).
Damn, my optimism levels were through the roof for a good few weeks after the election. I’ll just rein those back in.
Further Reading:
Quaker Accounts of the Underground Railroad
The Story of Quakers, Underground Railroad
Why Sasha and Malia Will Go to Sidwell Friends
Obamas Choose Sidwell Friends School For Daughters
Vanity School Fair
Obama Gets ‘H’ For Hypocrisy
Posted by Alexa Harrington
photo: Barry Halkin
Why is this SUCH a negative?
I think it’s fairly arrogant for us to assume that we know what would work best for the Obama family. I’m a huge supporter of public schooling, but I can’t imagine that it’s the perfect fit for every family…especially the first family. Private schools exist for a reason: to provide a higher standard of education for those that are willing to pay additional funds.
In many ways, this is like being angry that the Obamas ate at a fancy restaurant instead of a McDonalds…
I agree with you and your father that “the only way to improve public schools is for the parents with the interest, means, voice and impetus to effect change to enroll their kids in the public school system…”
During the last election in Washington State, one of the candidates running for governor homeschooled his children. I disagreed with many of his policies, but the fact that he and his wife homeschooled their children stuck with me. I’m not against homeschooling. I want to reiterate your point that if our representatives do not have a real stake in the education system, will they have enough incentive to fight for positive change?
I student teach at a public school near the neighborhood where the candidate lives. The classroom in which I teach is one of the most culturally diverse classrooms I’ve ever seen, as well as warm and welcoming. Most of the students at the school speak two or three languages fluently, and they have well-educated parents who are willing to read to them at home, help them with homework, and volunteer at school. I wouldn’t doubt that most of the students could easily attend private schools, but they don’t, and this helps raise the bar for public education. What I can’t figure out is why someone would want to keep their child out of that school?
@Mark–I think I pointed out that I do see why private school for the first family might be the more feasible option, for security reasons if nothing else. However, what concerns about the Obamas choosing private vs. public education for their daughters is the idea that those with the power to change the public education system for the better oftentimes are the parents who can afford to pull their kids out and privately educate them, thereby removing their kids, themselves, and their power to change totally from the equation. Which usually means the problems remain less than fixed.
I think I was hoping for someone who was ready to either show their confidence in the system by enrolling their kids in said system, or for someone who could see that the system was in a shambles and was still willing to wade on in and get to work fixing it (possibly all the faster if their kids are amidst the mess).
@Jenny–the school where you’re student teaching sounds very much like the school my daughter attends. It’s a public elementary school, the parents tend to be well-educated and a large percentage of parents actively participate in their kids’ education, both at home with reading and homework, and in the classroom. The school is made better by the volunteers, by monetary donations, and by parental awareness, education and involvement on the political end.
I appreciate your comment-it’s especially nice to hear coming from an educator.
–Alexa