London Calling

[C0ckney]

bracknell being desibed as hell

[MikeH]

I know, I'm too nice.

[C0ckney]

looking the link mike provided.

your child has a brother or sister who will be at the school when they start there
you live in the area served by the school
you or your child has a disability which makes travel to a distant school difficult
(for religious or faith schools), your child or family is of the particular religion or faith served by the school
(for secondary schools) your child attends a linked primary school
your home is close to the school

i'm certain that all these were in place when i went to school (and they all seem pretty sensible to be honest). so i can't see how providing choice has made it more difficult for parents. like i said i think providing competition, by for example providing incentives for providers to set up schools in areas with low quality public education, could really improve things for many people.

[MOBIUS]

Seems exactly the same as back in the early 80s IIRC

[MikeH]

Yes, those are some common criteria, not an exhaustive list.

[MOBIUS]

I think if you have parents who have the time and inclination to help with your education you'll outperform those who don't, the school is a lesser part of that, although parents who have the time and inclination to help their kids will also tend to try harder or have the means to move into the catchment areas of good schools which increases the quality of the school overall.

I think there is a general issue that it is up to schools to teach kids, rather than a combination of schools and parents. And there's certainly an issue where parents won't support teachers in disciplining children.

The only major positive input I remember my mother ever having in helping with my education was actually lifting a finger to send me to the 2nd best school in the area. She might have helped more when I was younger, but certainly after age 11 or so, I was strictly on my own.

[MikeH]

That's a shame.

[MikeH]

Would she have taken your side or the school's side if you were being disciplined by the school?

[MOBIUS]

Yeah well, that's just the way it is. I'm reconciled with it.

[MOBIUS]

Would she have taken your side or the school's side if you were being disciplined by the school?

That was never an issue. Depends on the circumstances. Most likely the school's, but probably wouldn't have cared too much either way. Don't get me wrong, it's not that she didn't care about me, just that she was so laid back about stuff she was virtually horizontal...

[MikeH]

Teachers now seem to suggest the parents will never side with them over the kids

[Heraclitus]

Riots in the UK
Most defendants confirm all stereotypes

Dispensation of justice on the assembly line in a 24-hour court: Despite a few exceptions most defendants confirm all stereotypes: foreigners, criminal, unemployed. Half of the accused are minor.

In recent days many British media reported on defendants that did not confirm typical prejudices against rioters at all. There was the aspiring social worker who stole a flat screen TV, the student who swiped two T-shirts, or the elementary school teacher who broke into a music store.

A night at Westminster Magistrates' Court, however, conveys a different picture: Almost all suspects have a migrant background, no job, but a sizable criminal record. About half of the defendants are minor, yet parents hardly felt the need to appear in court.

Bias in media? Inconceivable! Obviously the Britihs media are doing a better job covering the events, and this German paper is simply racist. As racist as homework!

[MikeH]

The Unexpected in More Newsworthy than Expected Shocker!

[Heraclitus]

The Unexpected in More Newsworthy than Expected Shocker!

Yet people continue to cite examples from media instead of cold hard statistics when deciding if something is or isn't a problem worth some attention.

[MikeH]

Some people continue to cite studies from people who have a clear agenda rather than cold hard statistics when deciding if something is or isn't a problem that needs attention.