Name: Cindy

Kingsville, Ont., CAN

Number of kids: 5

Ages of kids: 22, 21, 20, 20,11

It pains me to see children left to suffer the wars of this education tug-o-war. I really can say this because, I was a mother who tried to fight the system and was looked upon as a "don't you care about your child's future"? attitude from the beloved teachers. Now I can say because I listened to them and not my heart, I saw my failing Gr. 7 daughter sent to Gr.9 and quit and my son who successfully completed elementary school be told he was 4 yrs. behind to attend a reg. high school. It hasn't changed. It probably won't change unless we do what's right for OUR kids.

I just had to say that, it's bothered me for years because now it's too late. Also, I do believe there should be different discipline in schools and home. Kids are out of control and disrespectful.

NEW!Another response posted by Michelle: I am curious about your comment concerning the education "tug-of-war." I am a special education teacher in Kansas City, KS, and am feeling at a loss. With Spring parent-teacher confrences coming up I am considering asking one of my student's parent to hold her back. She is currently in the 5th grade and next year she will move to the middle school which has a tradition of failing kids. I believe that they will place her in settings that are inappropriate for her needs as a whole. She is extremely low academically. So some will want her to be with the students who are severly mentally challenged; yet socially she should be in classes that are not so restrictive. I know this student very well, I have been her teacher for 4 yrs., and truely believe that an opportunity to have another year to socially and academically mature will benefit her. I view this option as an opportunity and the gift of time. However, fellow colleges insist that you shoule NEVER! hold back a student, especially a student with a learning disability. I am searching for answers to this conflict.

NEW!Another response posted by Dave from WA: Parents should be the primary "brokers" of their children's education. Of course there is a private school option - for those that can afford it. Technically, any taxpaying parent can also use whatever public school offerings they choose. But some districts are less supportive. If anyone has information about school districts that have been particularly open to parents picking and choosing services, I would be interested.

As an adjunct, home educating parents should be able to select the curriculum for their own students and as long as that curriculum meets ACADEMIC goals, the district or state should be satisfied AND SUPPORTIVE. What needs to happen in order to put parents back in the drivers' seat. We pay for it. Your thoughts and resources are appreciated. Dave

Feel free to send in your own opinions regarding this article or anything else regarding parenting.