Eldest just turned six on Christmas, and is in the first grade at a private school. He has an IEP - tentative diagnosis of Nonverbal Learning Disorder (which is, ironically, about being VERY verbal, literal, and poorly coordinated - his IQ is fine, it's the social/emotional stuff that's a little weak).

I am currently debating putting him into public school, as his private school seems to be unwilling to modify ANYTHING for him.

I won't homeschool because it would be horrible for all of us. As I post more and you learn more about me and my family, you will understand why. I have read one or two of Liza's posts already, and agree with her.

The public school system in this country is broken, for sure. NCLB is having the opposite effect of its intentions. I believe in accountability. I don't believe in tenure for teachers. I believe that all children should receive an education, but that not all children should be educated the same way for the same ends.

Parenting is a large part of it. Schools don't help that either, though. In general, we meet with parents and present ourselves as "the experts." I know that I am dreading my appointment with my son's principal on Friday - and I walk in well educated and prepared.

The real point, I suppose, is that we have a single model to serve all children. The children I currently work with were so dysfunctional within that model that they were sent to our alternative program. They are dysfunctional for myriad reasons, but none of them was being well served in a traditional school. At conservative estimates, 20% of students aren't - and that includes the 10% at the top as well as the 10% at the bottom.

I will repost a couple of my other pieces on my experience as an educator AND as a parent.