Child Hates School?
Posted by Kathleen Bowers | Posted in Advocacy, Children's Need, National news, Parent Experiences, Student Experiences, Viewpoints | Posted on 01-09-2010
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Child Hates School?
You Have More Choices than You May Realize
This time of year, as schools reopen their doors, many parents are hearing the same refrain: “I hate school!” While some families succeed by relocating their child to another classroom, hiring a tutor, coaching their child through the homework, or making other small adjustments, many children continue to struggle in our public school classrooms. And sadly, many parents do not realize that they have the power to opt out of the neighborhood school to find a situation that provides a better fit with their child’s needs.
In fact, the time has never been better for parents and children who discover that their local public schools are not working for them. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 provided new ways open for a variety of educational options. Since the passage of the act, many of these new and expanded options have become a reality in most communities.
This federal law allows parents to take advantage of free tutoring if their child attends a Title 1 school (a school that has been identified as needing improvement) for an extended period of time. And it provides some protections for homeschooling parents as well.
Thanks to this law, it is even possible to take children out of the local public school while keeping them within the public school system. The No Child Left Behind Act allows parents the option of choosing another public school if the school their child attends is unsafe. It allows for the development of diverse magnet schools within school districts; these schools pull students from a wider geographic area in order to focus on a particular educational focus. It even supports the growth of independent charter schools.
Charter schools are public schools that operate with freedom from many of the local and state regulations that apply to traditional public schools. Charter schools allow parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs, and others the flexibility to innovate and provide students with increased educational options while remaining connected to the public school system. Charter schools are sponsored by local, state, or other organizations that monitor their quality. For more on charter schools, see this informative US Charter Schools website .
The forms that charter schools take vary widely. Some emphasize technology, foreign language, or specific trade preparation. Others spring from a particular educational philosophy, like Waldorf or Montessori. Still others, like Innovative Education Management schools in California, provide families with a way to homeschool within a charter school.
There are other options outside the public school system as well. There are private schools, including church-related schools. And there is homeschooling, which today takes many forms.
If you are interested in learning more about your choices, call your local school district office. They are required by law to provide you with information on your local options. You can get more in-depth information directly from the www2.ed.gov/nclb/choice/schools/choicefacts.html US Department of Education as well.
So, if you are hearing “I hate school,” take heart. Today many parents are finding great new paths to help their child thrive, learn, and excel – and you can too!

