Came across this fascinating story in the LA Daily News the other day about the things parent’s do to get their kids into magnet schools in LAUSD. Long story short, parents are going to amazing lengths to get their kids into these schools, and game the ‘points’ system LAUSD has set up as much as possible. There is this whole huge blog, Ask a Magna Yenta, dedicated to helping concerned parents. The DN article is def worth a read, to get a picture of the franticness that accompanies getting your kid into middle school. A few thoughts…
- First, if you don’t know much/anything about magnet schools, check the wikipedia article, or this op-ed from a former school board member for a little bit of background. (Don’t agree with everything he says, but has some legit points).
- Personally, I am a huge fan of magnet schools. They seem to create diverse environments and high quality schools.
Personal annecdote: My old school back in New Haven, Edgewood Elementary, was a complete mess when I was there. As in, fighting was not uncommon amongst first graders. A lot of parents (including my mom) fought long and hard to change it, and apparently the huge change came when it became a magnet school. Last year, when I spoke to a TFA person about going back to work there, she said she couldn’t even get her daughter in there… aka it was like a competative school to get into. When I go back, I can barely recognize the place, its changed so much.
Personal conclusion- I think on balance, parents waste way, way too much time worrying about what middle school their kid goes to. Granted, you want a safe, positive learning environment for your child, of course. But people getting caught up in this must attend the perfect elementary/middle school so someday my kid can go to Harvard craze… I’m just not feelin it. It’s right up there with this concern over your son/daughter being the only white kid in the class. Who cares? That’s how I spent my elementary school, and I seemed to have turned out OK.
All that being said, more magnet schools, along with charter schools, can only be a good thing.
January 6, 2009 at 1:26 am |
Hi gaberose,
Ironically, not all of us are worried about Harvard. Far from it. Middle school is a scary time, and when you add in schools with GreatSchool ratings of 2 or 3, that are year round, or have a warehouse holding mentality, some of us just want something a little better.
I’m an education junkie, so I’m always listening out for new schools that might be a good fit–for my daughter or others. Because the reality is by the time they get to junior high, half the battle is just getting them to want to get up in the morning. And if they’re in a place where they feel safe, encouraged, and that meets their needs, I’m there.
Thanks for the pingback.