The United States Education System
Three days, 10 hours, 60 forms, 2 tearful breakdowns, and 1 tirade and finally all three of my children are enrolled in their new schools. What has become of the educational system in the United States of America when a young woman who enjoys learning and repeatedly chooses challenging courses is required to drop AP European History, Latin, Orchestra, and Creative Writing so she can fulfill state requirements of PE, World history, World Geography, Technology, and Speech? What is even more shocking is that Emma's new school gives a full PE credit for an 18 week/90 minute class of Football, Cheerleading, or Dance. Since when did these subjects begin being taught during the school day? I thought they were supposed to be extra curricular activities - but not here in Texas. Emma has opted to take her PE requirement (she already has 2 credits but needs 1/2 more) outside of school so she can take academic courses during the day. To our amazement her course will be offered as a correspondence course. That's right PE via computer. Unbelievable! On the other hand next year Maddie will have the option to take Speech, Health, or Spanish for High School credit. It seems that in Texas if you spend your time studying you are penalized - but if you begin fulfilling requirements early you are free to fill your junior and senior year with fluff.
On a more positive note, Ian has the opportunity of a lifetime to join an Air Force ROTC training course as a freshman and continue until graduation. The program is truly incredible. He will be studying Military History, Global Studies, Survival Techniques. He will have the opportunity to compete in orienteering, marksmanship or drill team on a squad that has placed in the top 4 schools in the nation for the last 4 years. His commanding officer has a 100% success rate of acquiring ROTC scholarships for all students who meet the requirements. It is the opportunity of lifetime for a young man who has spent a lifetime dreaming of joining the Air Force.
This week has been stressful for all of us. We have felt defeated, excited, anxious, limited but most of all we have felt ignorant. None of us likes this feeling - in our family knowledge is coveted. Playing a game without knowing the rules is disconcerting at best. My hope for us all is that we learn the rules quickly become masters of the GAME.
On a more positive note, Ian has the opportunity of a lifetime to join an Air Force ROTC training course as a freshman and continue until graduation. The program is truly incredible. He will be studying Military History, Global Studies, Survival Techniques. He will have the opportunity to compete in orienteering, marksmanship or drill team on a squad that has placed in the top 4 schools in the nation for the last 4 years. His commanding officer has a 100% success rate of acquiring ROTC scholarships for all students who meet the requirements. It is the opportunity of lifetime for a young man who has spent a lifetime dreaming of joining the Air Force.
This week has been stressful for all of us. We have felt defeated, excited, anxious, limited but most of all we have felt ignorant. None of us likes this feeling - in our family knowledge is coveted. Playing a game without knowing the rules is disconcerting at best. My hope for us all is that we learn the rules quickly become masters of the GAME.
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