A tale of two schools, 3,000 miles apart

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The mission statements of both schools speak to creating a supportive environment for learning and personal development. Who could argue with that as a goal? But the means to the ends couldn’t be more different. The two schools are on different planets, geographically and experientially. Yet the East Coast kids and the West Coast kids seem equally well adjusted despite the dramatic educational divide. I wonder how it would be if they had started out in each other’s schools. Probably fine. And that’s my point: As long as our kids stay safe and healthy, any decent education is good. Observing the two schools has been an “aha” experience for me.

I admit my bias: I think public education is the way to go. That is where our efforts should go — to improving public schools and teacher education. Kids will flourish and learn, whether in the woods or on Park Avenue or in the neighborhood classroom. We don’t need to agonize over the choices or spend tens of thousands of dollars for special programs.

Far more important — what they will carry with them forever — is the education our kids get at home, from us as decent human beings, as good citizens of the country and as considerate voyagers on the planet.

Copyright © 2013 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

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