Re: Public Schools Perform Near Private

[Gerald Bracey <gbracey@starpower.net>]

George, snobbery might play a role, but I think overwhelmingly
the reason is one that I've heard from parents who red-shirted
their kids out of kindergarten, helped their kids (too much)
with homework and projects, cajoled principals into putting
their kid with a particular teacher, spent lots on preschool,
paid for tutors, paid for Kaplan or Princeton review--I need
to give my child every advantage I can.  

So if it only raises the probability of their kid's getting
into Harvard by 10%, blowing a wad for Andover or Choate is
worth it.   The desperation with which many parents pursue
these imagined advantages is quite amazing if also depressing.

It's not new. I wrote an article back in the early '80's
called "Call Off the Baby Race."  It came after a mother told
Susan Stamberg on All Things Considered that not getting he
three year old into a particular preschool "was like a death
in the family" (I wonder if the kid now sees a high-priced
therapist).  

It HAS intensified.  Financier Jack Grubman did a $100,000 (I
think, maybe more) favor for someone to get his grandkids into
a particular preschool.  It's intensified especially at the
end of secondary school--everyone wants a selective college, a
brand college.


Jerry