Tuesday, September 9, 2008

excuse me, Senator?

Okay, so I have not discussed politics on here much, nor do I especially want to. I know this election has people really fired up, which is always a good thing, in my opinion. It is good to have people involved, especially when they are passionate.

I tend not always to voice my opinions about such matters, and certain issues are more important to me then others. For me, education is one of the most important issues. You may know, I am currently working on a second Masters degree, in International Education and I am giving very serious thought to teaching. DC public schools are amoung the worst in the country, as you may know and there is always talk of how to improve them.

I've been curious about McCain and Obama's views on education and what they planned to do about it. Of course, educational issues have been overshadowed by Iraq and the economy, amoung other things. So, when I saw this article, I read it, and became curious about Obama's two daughters. I did a bit of google work and found this article.

From said article-

It was the first day of classes for 10-year-old Malia, a fifth grader, and 7-year-old Sasha, in second grade. They’d spent some of their summer on the campaign trail with their dad.

So dear little Malia and Sasha go to the University of Chicago Lab School.

From their webpage-

Schedule of Tuition 2008-09 School Year

Grade
2008-09 Tuition & Fees
Nursery School (Half Day)
$11,442
Nursery/Kindergarten (Full Day)
$16,674
Grades 1 - 4
$18,492
Grades 5 - 8
$20,286
Grades 9 - 12
$21,480


So the Senator and Mrs. Obama are paying nearly $40K a year for their daughters education.

I am not anti private school in the least, I went to Catholic elementary and high school, public school for grades 6-8.

What bothers me? When a candidate tells me what he might do for public schools, but doesn't send his own there. I find that quite ironic.

Thoughts?

6 comments:

Dolce said...

My husband is a public school teacher in the best school system in the state and we still plan on sending out kids to private school.

It's a personal choice based on our belief systems and the expections of the school. I don't believe is school vouchers because it would only hurt public schools. I understand Obama sending his children to private school- he can afford the best possible education, but he isn't the majority of this country. That's why we have to have the best possible public schools we can offer.

an orange county girl said...

well, for the other perspective, i'm not really sure what mccain has done to improve public school education and meghan went to a private catholic school and bridget goes to one too (not sure if it's the same one). my brother, sister, and i went to private schools our whole lives and my sister went on to teach in a public school, which she is actively fighting to improve (because the GOP in california has cut education funding so bad, my sister has to buy her own supplies and has watched several of her colleagues get laid off).

as dolce said, i don't think that obama's sending his kids to private school is an indication that he will do nothing to improve public school education in this country if elected. nor would i hold that against mccain.

Katelin said...

i don't really know that i'd judge so much on where his kids go seeing as to how my mom works in the public school and loves it but i still went to a private high school.

because if that argument was to be brought up not only with education but with other things someone could easily look into the way that the mccain finances their own family and luxuries.

if that makes any sense, i'm not a good arguer, haha.

Lauren said...

I agree with dolce. If he can afford to send his daughters to private school and he wants to, then she should do it. Private school is there for people who want that for their children. Obama is trying to help make public schools better for those who can't afford an alternative, or who don't want to.

Anonymous said...

I think it's a personal choice. Even though I know there are a lot of public schools out there, if I had the money I'd probably send my kids to private school. I think Obama is just doing what he thinks is best for his children....not putting down public schools.

GM said...

I personally think that he sends his kids to private school because the public schools aren't that good right now. Maybe he will make them better and send them there but some of the private schools in this country are head and shoulders above the public schools so why not send your kids there if you can afford it.