I’ve looked at this problem from several directions and all I can say is that there isn’t a perfect or one sized fits all plan.
1. Home schooling. Of the dozen or so home schooled folks I’ve dealt with over the years the quality I’ve seen varies as widely as any public school. Depending on how much (i.e. only home schooled) time they spend at home these kids often end up socially stunted or at least a bit more of outcasts then they should be.
2. Private Schools. Just because you pay for it doesn’t make it better. BUT I still find private schools provide more control and better learning environments because they’re more inclinded (though they don’t always) listen to their parents and students. Plus, since the parents are paying for it they’re often (again not always) more likely to pay attention to what their kids are doing and taking an active role in the whole affair.
3. Charter Schools. Choice and competition in Public schools? No way! Personally I’ve seen this work wonderfully and fail completely as well. Unfortunetly the biggest problem I’ve seen with this idea is getting them going since you’ll probably only find these in better neighborhoods or at least organized larger areas.
4. The Japanese Style. Personally I think there’s lots of great things to the Japanese style of teaching/schools. The biggest problem with it is we could not possibly take that system here to America because of the cultural differences. Plus this system does produce very capable students good with the basics and “hard” classes, but those that require interpretations not as much. (Again though that’s a generalization)
In the end I do believe our children’s educations can only be guarenteed by the parents and the student. The parents need to push their kids and support them, and the kids need to make the most of every opportunity they can get.
