I agree with Jeff.  The bars and restaurants I frequent are staffed by alot
of kids with expensive 4 year degrees who cannot or don't want to find a
"white collar" job, so they're waiting tables till they figure out what
life is all about for them.  I'm glad that I didn't fork out the $100K for
their 4 year degree.  It wasn't appropriate.  We've been brainwashed to
think that our kids have to go to a traditional 4 year college or they'll
be losers for life.  If only it was so easy to guarantee success...

John Lee




At 01:01 AM 6/3/05 -0700, Vance, Jeff H (Cupertino) wrote:
>  ...
> > Let's say the average class size is publik skools is 30 students....
> >
> > so $8400 * 30 = 252,000 per year to educate one class.
> >
> > Now private schools have a higher standard, let's say they
> > only want a max of 15 students per class, so the teacher can
> > focus more attention per student..
> >
> > 14,000 * 12 =210,000 per year to educate one class.
> >
> > Now for the math question, which teacher do you think earns
> > more.  The publik school teacher or the private school
> > teacher?  (Please let's not get into pensions and benefits.)
>
>I can't speak for areas outside of NorCal, but, in general private
>school teachers are paid LESS than public teachers based on similar
>credentials, # of years, courses taught, etc.
>
>The reason, I believe, is because the private school teachers basically
>have an easier job. Students in private schools can be much more easily
>expelled, disciplined, etc. Also, it is more likely that the parents
>really don't want their kid expelled (many private schools in our area
>have waiting lists), so I think there is a lot of pressure for the kids
>in private schools to behave better.
>
>My wife was a full-time teacher and is now often used as a substitute
>teacher in our local public school (both elementary and middle school
>grades). Aside from the extra grief subs sometimes get, she spends a
>considerable amount of time dealing with students who really don't want
>to learn, and prefer socializing over listening or discussing the
>topics. Threats of going to the Principal don't seem to deter the worst
>offenders.  The time wasted warning them, writing the notes, sending
>them on their way, etc. is significant.  Most of the classes are 50
>minutes long and if 10 minutes are wasted dealing with trouble-makers
>you end up wasting 36+ hours per class per school year.  I think this is
>why private schools are increasing in popularity.
>
>But, public schools, by law, must accept all students in their district
>within certain age limits. Private school don't.  Even if you send your
>kids to private schools, and even if they are better by certain
>measures, I think it is incumbent on us to make our public school
>successful.  The consequences of failing to do this seem enormously
>negative to me.
>
>BTW, I do not support the notion, which our governor and many others
>espouse, that all students should go on to college.  I prefer the system
>which they have (or had) in France and other European countries, where
>at some point in "high school" you get yourself on a university track or
>on a "professional/trade" track. There does not seem to be "shame" in
>being a plumber, electrician, auto repair person, small business owner,
>etc. Their system seems to better prepare the students who do not go to
>college to be successful right after they graduate from HS.
>
>I don't think the US (or at least Calif) public education system does
>this very well. We seem to have so many HS graduates going to college
>only to find out they have to take bone-head English, review math,
>review foreign language, etc.  Our colleges should not be burdened
>teaching the incoming freshman class subjects they were supposed to
>learn in HS.... College is optional, HS is required.
>
>I guess I agree that we need some serious education reform in this
>country (or at least in Calif), but I disagree that private schools are
>the solution.
>
>  Jeff
>
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