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At a press conference at the White House on Monday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan spoke about President Barack Obama and his mission to transform public education around the country. I couldn't help but wonder, If their own children went to D.C. public schools, wouldn't that be a transformative experience in itself?
Obama's children attended private schools in Chicago (University of Chicago Lab School) and are attending private school (Sidwell Friends Lower School) in Washington.
Only 44 percent of Senators and 36 percent of Representatives send their children to public schools. Arne Duncan's children do attend public schools, albeit in Arlington, Virginia.
We haven't had a sitting president with children attend public school since Jimmy Carter's daughter, Amy, attended Stevens Elementary and Hardy Middle School in Washington, D.C., before going to Holton-Arms, a private school in Bethesda. At the public school, Amy wasn't allowed outside for recess, because the school's playground was too near the street. She also had trouble making friends because of security around her all of the time.
Her being there, though, sent a powerful message to other students around the city. I was in public school at the time, and we were proud that the president's daughter went to a school like ours. It also lent credibility to Carter's mission to improve public schools-he was struggling with the system like every other parent.
Of course, choosing a school is a parent's decision often made based on the individual personality and challenges of their particular children. But for students in elementary school, socialization is a large part of the learning process. I feel blessed that at that age I was able to go to school with children from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and races. Do you think that politicians should walk the talk and send their children to public school?
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By: Mia P on 3/05/2010 5:15PM
Why is it a big deal when Obama became President, it was not a question when bush or clinton was is office. And just because he is trying to fix the public system which he should he should not have to have his kids in public school unless him and his wife want to. I'm a everyday worker and I have my daughter in privat school because me and her dad agree to do it our other kids went to public and are doing fine.
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By: public school teacher on 2/27/2010 8:28PM
The crime of this is that the total ( from 5 different revenue sources) amount spent in 2008 for each K-12 grade student in Washington DC is about the same as the Obama girls wonderful private education. Averaged expenditures per each public school student in 2008 in DC was $24,600 and the schools are ranked as under performing and deplorable. Many good private schools cost less that $24,600. They could actually save money by giving families a choice and paying for their child's private tuition.
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By: elizabeth on 2/27/2010 6:41PM
I believe if that were to be the case I'm sure the school would be a much better place just because the public figured child was attending.
I can just remember a few years ago the school was trying to put my daughter in a higher grade saying she was gifted when her grades were A's and B's but not all A's, I refused and I felt they were only doing it because I was volunteeing and helping out at school a whole lot being a L.P.N., so my husband didn't want me to work sometimes I'd be a stay at home mom. anyway the school she was thinking of attending was encouraging her in gymnastics, my child hated that I sad nobut today she retired army and is a Supervisor in the Dept of Human Servives and loves it. I do believe a child has a better chance of survival in a world where they can see advantages as well as disadvantages and they also learn from their peers. also I know from 1962 really smart students don't always succeed in life because they are somewhat sheltered from the real world. Look at statistics.
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