How to Get Your Child a Private School Quality Education

No Child Left Behind legislation has turned public schools across the United States from institutions of learning into institutions of testing. In the time that used to be devoted to history and science, children are instead being instructed in the how-to of test-taking Classroom hours are spent having children practice for tests- from exercises devoted to coloring in little ovals completely so tests are not misgraded to memorizing the vocabulary words associated with the testing process. Children are taught keywords to impress test graders rather than being taught substance.

Children don't write paragraphs anymore; they write "brief constructed responses." What is ludicrous about this practice is that content is the element that matters least. Writing a topic sentence and two "supporting sentences" and a closing sentence that creates a nonsequitur will yield a better score than an accurate statement of fact that does not follow this format.

For example, a paragraph that reads: "I like to go to the park. On Wednesdays my mother doesn't work. Tom likes the seesaw. That is why I like to go to the park," would likely get a better grade than a paragraph that read, "Many parks have playgrounds. Those are the best parks of all. In some parks there are grills for having barbecues. And most parks have a lot of trees."

The deficiencies of No Child Left Behind have prompted the United States Congress to consider legislation to remedy some of its worst effects: the near elimination of history and science from the classroom in favor of math and reading.

Meanwhile public school parents can and should advocate for their children's education, not only to reclaim what No Child Left Behind took away, but to ensure that their children receive a solid education to prepare them for the future. This guide shows parents how, with advocacy, they can ensure that their children receive a private school quality education in the public schools.

Assess Your Child's Present Education

Before addressing how to fix problems with a child's education, a parent needs to assess its strengths and weaknesses. Maybe it's already fine the way it is.