Public or Private?

While many people are focusing on who President-elect Barack Obama will pick for his cabinet and how he will deal with the world's issues once he takes office, there is another debate on where he should send his children to school. Many feel he should send them to public school since he is an elected official who spent much of his career fighting for education improvement and what better way to show faith in the public education system than to allow his own children to be educated there. Others feel private schools may offer better security and provide his children a better education considering all the turmoil in the D.C. school system right now.

On the November 17 Kojo Nnamdi Show, guest Stephanie Mencimer and Nnamdi discussed her recent blog post on Mother Jones that asked Obama to put his children in public school. Mencimer, who has a child in D.C. public schools,said choosing public education would "give public schools a boost of confidence" and notes that many middle class families pick private schools over public in D.C. and by having his children enrolled in a public school, Obama would help the school system by leaps and bounds.

A caller who went to public school with President Jimmy Carter's daughter described the experience as "miserable," but another caller who had a child attend Sidwell Friends, a private school, with Chelsea Clinton said it benefited the school.

Should Barack Obama send his children to a private or public school? If he opts for private school, do you think it shows a lack of faith in public education?

Comments

[Tony C.]

I am a school counselor at a private high school. We have many students whose parents are teachers and administrators at local public schools. As parents, they have the right to choose the best available education for their child. The reality is that private education is the better choice in many areas of our country. President-elect Obama has the same rights and responsibility, as a parent, to choose the best available school for his children. So, Mr. and Mrs. Obama should do what best for their family. No child should be a "sacrificial lamb" to provide a temporary "boost of confidence" to a problem-riddled public school system.

[CtrForEdReform]

While my organization is the nation’s leading advocate for charter school choices, I’m not so sure I want to see the Obamas choose a charter school. Though I disagree with our president-elect on many issues and fear that obsessive government solutions and spending will push us further into a government dependency, I want the best for him and his family when they come to Washington. I want him to have no distractions other than those that impact us all.

The reality of the obstacles facing public charter schools in D.C. and around the country could be just such a distraction.
Please read more at http://www.edspresso.com

[Jim Hill]

Although I am a very strong supporter of public education, and although I am fully aware of all the political issues involved, the President's school choice should be a personal and private concern and the rest of us should stay out of it, as we would with each other. Jim Hill, Upland, California

[Paul M. Rutherford, PhD]

Why should we care? This decision is his and the 1st-lady. So America............, lay off!!!

[S Lee]

I think all parents should have a choice in the manner in which their children are educated. I would like to think that choice would be extended to all the other parents in DC who would like to move their children out of failing schools, but the Obamas have the luxary of being able to afford the choice whereas most DC parents do not.

[S Dolen]

There is not a public school in the country that is equipped to deal with the extra burden of protecting these 2 students. Public schools are open to all parents and the rights of those families should not be limited by the need the secret service will have to protect those girls. What school administrator has the time or resources to deal with possible problems associated with having the Obama's enrolled as students?I don't know a principal or superintendent that wants to verify every move with the secret service.

[Nancy A]

I've been around DC long enough to be able to compare the reported schooling experience of Amy Carter (public school) with that of Chelsea Clinton (private school). My son attended the public school that Amy went to, and by all accounts, Amy was miserable and the school couldn't deal well with the Secret Service escorts.

[Mary C.]

Supporting public or private education matters not in this instance. These will no longer be 2 "regular" students - they will be the daughters of the President of the United States and as such will require special treatment. How can a public school system possible handle that? What affects will there be on the education of the remaining student body if the girls attend a particular school? How can the girls really experience what public education has to offer under the circumstances they have been placed? These are the questions we should be focusing - not which is better public or private education?

[Nick]

As a public school administrator, I would not want to deal with the added security burden that would accompany a President's child in our buildings. While it would make a statement for public education, it would negatively impact the majority of our students.

[dorothy]

I am a public school administrator and would not want to deal with the "drama" of educating the first family i.e., security. Their presence would also have a significant impact on the majority of students and families who can't choose. I also have children in private school. Two innocent children(the Obama girls) can't help to fix a very broken system. The first family should not sacrifice their children to make a statement

[Paula A. Sams]

I am an elementary school principal and strongly support public education. The choice of whether or not the Obama children attend public or private school is a private decision the Obama's should make.

[W. Phillips]

I can not believe people actually believe an innocent child should be sacrificed to help "boost" moral in public school.Unfortunately, the D.C. public schools are in turmoil. Security for the two children should be top priority. They should not be scolded for doing what is best for their girls.

[Marie]

The Obamas should not feel pressured to send their children to public school. The public school system may be in need of repair, but sacrificing these two Obama children for the sake of making a statement will not get it fixed any quicker or better. The Obamas should have the choice that all parents in the U.S. have - pick the school that is best suited to the children and the situation.

[Cynthia S.Cochran]

As a teacher in a private school, I do not envy the no win situation that the Obama's have to face. I think that they should listen to the advice Jackie Kennedy gave which was that you have to put your child first and not use him/her as a guinea pig to prove something to the public. The public schools in DC are probably the worst in the country. The value of a good education and the girls' safety are the most important issues here.

[Jackie]

I support Cynthia's comments, with a special emphasis on security. Let's not pretend that bigotry has disappeared and everything is hunky-dory out there.

[D. Holland]

First of all, it is not anyone's business about the decisions that a family makes for children. However, I believe that the girls are currently attending private school and would be more comfortable continuing to do so.

Anyway, who with the resources to do otherwise would enroll thier child in a D.
C. school as they currently exist? Get real.

[Everett Yelton 3rd.]

The same issue arose with the Clintons, and although the statement was made during his campaign that Chelsea would go to public schools, when the time came Chelsea went to a private school. The choice belongs to the parents, with advice from the secret service. Obama as far as I know never promised where his children would attend school. Let's hope for transparency and honesty.

[Peasant]

It's cool, block my comments. Wouldn't want the voice of reason to infiltrate education, because then people might see what is going on.

[Jamie]

If the schools in DC are that bad that the children cannot attend school there then the schools need to be changed. That was his motto...CHANGE...so make change where it is needed and show us he means what he says. He was the education choice so do what is right and make the necessary changes and make the changes where it matters most and send the girls to public schools where most of the popular voters send their kids and show us that he means what he said.

[K. Koskela]

I totally agree with Tony C. The Obamas have as much right as anyone to choose where they want to send their children to school. I would also imagine that security would be easier in a private setting, which means less cost for the general taxpayer!

[Lori]

I agree that the condition of Washington D. C. schools should be addressed if they are too low for the Obama girls to attend. Schools should be equally wonderful for students, no matter the child's importance or popularity in the public eye. I don't however believe that is why Obama and his wife would consider a private school. It is not safe for those children to be in a public school.
I am a teacher. I teach in a low economic area. It is not fair to other students in a public schools. If the schools are that bad in D.C., the students don't need a distraction like the Obama girls would create.

[Shannon]

I am a public school teacher and have been for thirteen years. Next year, my husband and I have chosen to send our son to a private, Christian school. I do believe in the public school system and feel that it is great for most. Every child is different and we really feel that our child will benefit from the environment at this private school. We do not know Obama's children. Their parents know them better than anyone and know what is best for them. These children should not be used to make a statement and the Obamas should not have to justify their decision to the country.

[Rob]

I don't think the Washington DC schools are very good. Poor urban area. Would you send your child there???
he doesn't have a choice. he has to send them to a private school.

[Maryet Owens]

I feel that Obama should put his children in private school for security reasons. I feel that they should have extra protection so they would have a safe education. I work in a public school and I feel that it is nothing wrong with a public education but as for Obama he needs to think about his children and family safety.

[Karen]

I cannot believe this topic is even a topic! I am a supporter of the public school system, always have been. However this is two-folded answer. First the girls are the daughters of the future president. Their security is first and foremost. If they were not the daughters of the future president, but instead the daughters of a senator or mayor, who would care what school they went to. Second—this is a decision that should be made by the girls’ parents not by the American public. Choosing a school for a child is like choosing a child’s doctor-it is nobody’s business but the parent. For anyone who feels like he must choose a public or criticizes his and his wife’s choice I say this—“Get a life!”

[Orville Ingram]

I am a public school teacher and an advocate for public education. But, if you can afford private education and it fits well in your children's educational plan, go for it. But, the issue at hand is whether President-elect Obama and the incoming First Lady should choose private school or public school. It's a no-brainer--private. At this point, most people would have known they chose private, but is it our business to determine the security, privacy and education of any public family? Would you want Mr. Obama to institute policies that tell you where to send your child or children? I can't imagine any public school adequately managing the security details of the secret service; so, forget public school in this instance. Let's get back to the nation's business. There is a crisis brewing and education is right in the mix. Focus people!!

[Nanci]

Looking at all the previous posts, it is clear that most feel that Obama does not need to send his children to public school in order to convince Americans that he is sincere about education reform. I teach at the private school where Amy Carter graduated from and my son is currently enrolled there. After the birth of my child and having worked in four schools and two districts, I knew the best option for my own child would be private school. This does not mean I am no longer invested in the public school system. I follow the issues and cheer any progress made in the neighborhood schools. After my son graduates, I may return to teaching in public schools again. But my child always come first.