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by
Christina Aubin
Copyright
2000
There is an amazing selection of educational opportunities available to
children in the US. Selections include public schools, private schools,
charter schools, and home schooling. Which route to take is purely a
personal choice based upon what best suits the child and family. The
choices and combinations are endless.
Public Schools
I was never a public education fan, until the past year.
I personally had a difficult and horrible experience in the public school
system where I grew up. However, after a private school handed my daughter
as difficult a life lesson as anyone could hand a young child, we ended up
in the public school system.
We found ourselves in a new town, suddenly school-less
because of a Waldorf teacher who lacked any form of integrity or judgment
left us hanging the day before her transfer was to occur. Based upon our
acceptance and start date at the Cape Ann Waldorf, I withdrew my daughter
from her beloved Lexington Waldorf, to begin the next week at her new
school. However, the night before the day she was to begin the teacher
called and said "she could not handle another student" (mind you
there were only 14 in the class) and this was "something she had to
do."
In desperation I called the public school system to find
out the procedure in enrolling my daughter and explained our situation.
Thus we landed at the local public school, in a rather bumpy re-entry into
school. I was amazed at the staff at this school, they rallied around my
daughter and supported her in so many ways as she slowly came out from
what was the most devastating experience of her young life.
Being that my daughter transferred from a Waldorf into a
public there were gaps in her learning base, as the two educational
systems are radically different. The teachers worked with her and guided
her through; they spent extra time and encouraged her. What we found was a
nurturing, caring and supportive environment for our daughter, which is
offered free to anyone!
Today public schools can offer many advantages to their
pupils. They have resources some private schools only dream of; of course
much of this is dependent upon the location and school district you are
in. Public schools also have to follow set rules and regulations set forth
by the school administration, public law and public scrutiny. I have come
to realize, after my disastrous involvement with Cape Ann Waldorf, that
public scrutiny can be a good thing in insuring the well being of our
children is being met.
Suggestions for dealing with Public Schools
-
Have a copy
of the Parent and Student handbook. Be sure to read it through so you
have an understanding of the rules and regulations (including dress
code - note any rules regarding religious medals or jewelry - it has
to be an all or none situation).
-
Know you
child's (children's) teacher and support staff. If you are "out
of the broom closet" then be sure to create the environment in
which folks can feel comfortable asking questions. Although it is a
violation of your civil rights for any member of the school staff to
ask you your religion, if you are out of the "broom closet"
and it is obvious, information will help quiet any fears that may
arise. I have found this to begin some wonderful conversations and
allow further understanding in an area that tends to be
"homogeneous Christian".
-
Be involved
in the classroom and school, if at all possible. This allows you to
have a finger on the pulse of the school, it also allows others in the
school to know you as who you are, not what you represent. If unable
to actually be "in school" then be sure to develop a
relationship with the teacher that allows frequent and open
communication.
-
If you want
exercise your ability to have religious days off, you should find out
the policy on notification of days off for religious purpose. The
school has no right to deem whether your religion is a
"valid" religion Ð as this again would be a violation of
your civil rights. You could worship kumquats and it could be a high
holy kumquat day and they would have to allow an excused absence.
-
Rules can
not be made that single out one religion over the others in public
schools. All rules must be inclusive to all or exclusive to all in a
public school setting - if they do single out particular religions
then they are violating your First Amendment rights. (Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.)
-
Any and all
issues that might arise should be well documented. If possible see
that all communication is written and copied to all pertinent
personnel and organizations, sent via return receipt mail service.
When issues arise keep logs on any phone or personal conversations; it
helps to keep you organized in your dealings. Dedicate a three-ring
binder to house this log so you can add pages, as you need. Never,
never underestimate the power of carbon copying (cc'ing) everyone - it
makes people accountable and acknowledges that they have the ball in
their court. (Your school handbook should lay out the proper
notification procedure and chain of command within the school district
- be sure to also include an outside group such as ACLU, if possible)
Federal Guidelines for religious expression in
public schools
What are the ground rules for religious expression in
public schools?
Secretary of Education Richard Riley, at the direction
of President Clinton, issued guidelines in 1995 and updated them in 1998
to reflect recent court decisions.
A synopsis of the guidelines:
Students have the same right to engage in individual or
group prayer and religious discussion during the school day as they do to
engage in other comparable activity.
Local school authorities have "substantial
discretion" to impose rules of order but may not structure the rules
to discriminate against religious activity or speech.
Students may attempt to persuade peers about religious
topics as they would any other topics, but schools should stop such speech
that constitutes harassment.
Students may participate in before- or after-school
events with religious content, such as "see-you@the-flagpole"
gatherings, on the same terms they can participate in other non-curricular
activities on school premises.
Teachers and administrators are prohibited from either
encouraging or discouraging religious activity and from participating in
such activity with students.
Public schools may not provide religious instruction but
may teach about religion.
Students may express their beliefs about religion in
homework, artwork and other written and oral assignments. The work should
be judged by ordinary academic standards and against other
"legitimate pedagogical concerns." Students may distribute
religious literature on the same terms other literature unrelated to
curriculum can be distributed.
Schools have "substantial discretion" to
excuse students from lessons objectionable on religious or other
conscientious grounds. But students generally don't have a federal right
to be excused from lessons inconsistent with religious beliefs or
practices.
Schools may actively teach civic values and morals, even
if some of those values also happen to be held by religions.
Students may display religious messages on clothing to
the same extent they may display other comparable messages.
For the complete
printable version of these guidelines, see: THE
EQUAL ACCESS ACT.
Public School Links:
Private Schools
Private schools can offer an educational view that is
not as wide and as politically correct as the public school systems. There
are some beautiful educational philosophies out there that are wonderfully
implemented. In some areas they are the better choice of educational
alternatives.
I am, however, tainted on private schools at this point
in my life. In many instances you are bound to their channels of problem
resolution, when problems occur. Dependent on the school and the people
running it this can be an infuriating experience. They do not have the
same rules of conduct regulating them as do the public schools, as they
are private institutions, which can produce issues and areas of concern.
Many states offer consumer protection laws that can be
utilized by consumers against any institution (including private schools).
In Massachusetts there are laws against the unfair and deceptive trade
practices covered by Massachusetts general law 93A. Be sure when involving
yourself in a private school situation you have an understanding of the
routes for conflict resolution and the educational and philosophical
mandate of the school.
Also although an institution is private, they have to
follow the law and have regard for one's civil rights. However, the path
is a bit murkier as they are not a federally or state funded public
institution. For example, look at the issues arising from the Boy Scouts
not allowing gays, it is a murky issue based upon the fact that they are a
private group not a public, although they are more a semi-public group.
The reason this issue is in high court is because the definitions and
regulations as not as clear-cut as they are in a public setting.
Understanding the schools | 
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