School Family

Who needs tuition? This Cincinnati story on back-to-school price tags makes the case that the average public school parent, too, is shelling out more and more $$ for what once was considered basics.  Are we balancing school budgets on the backs of parents (again)? Where’s the line between what should be provided as a matter of course in a public school and what is rightfully considered an extra?

“The index projects that to fill the backpacks of their children this year, parents should have $351 available for elementary school pupils, $530 for middle schoolers and $894 for high school students. And those expenses don’t recognize the cost of back-to-school clothing.

The expenditures range from standard supplies to fees for extracurricular activities to study materials and fees for standardized college entrance tests.”

Ouch.

It certainly seems as if the line between what is considered a standard (covered) expense of providing a public education and what is considered an extra (and therefore fees can be charged) is moving rapidly? Where does it stop? As much as school is about learning and test scores, it’s also about a broad education and finding passions and learning to be a well-rounded, well-adjusted adult. Hate to see a day when kids will have to pay a fee to play a role in the school musical or debate club or basketball team. Those “extras” are not extras in my eyes. They’re essential parts of the school experience.

Where’s the line these days in your school? And is there any way we can stop that line from sliding, sliding, sliding to the point where there is a toll booth at the doorway to each classroom

I read some shocking news this week. Here in my very own community, kids as young as 18 months are training to become the soccer stars of tomorrow. The toddlers I know are content sticking toys in their mouths and mashing Play-Doh, and as far as I’m aware, none have expressed an interest in learning an organized sport. So who decided it was a good idea to teach toddlers soccer moves before they’ve even moved into big-kid beds?

You guessed it, it’s parents who are behind the popular program. The coach started the classes with preschoolers in mind, but parents kept pressuring him to let in younger and younger kids. As the reporter explains: “After constant pestering, he gave in to parents and expanded his program….Now he’s saying no to parents of 14- and 16-month-olds.”

It’s generally accepted that sports and other extracurricular activities are good for kids. But taking on too many activities can be very stressful for a child, not to mention exhausting for parents. Many parenting experts and psychologists say families would be better off cutting back on activities to have more family time.

These toddlers are a long way from competitive play. They’re still learning soccer fundamentals, like kicking the ball as opposed to carrying it. But I can’t help but wonder: If a kid is going to soccer practice before he turns 2, how many more activities will he be juggling by the time he starts school?