Recession affecting schools--sometimes in surprising ways
Almost every day, I read something new about guidelines for North Carolina’s schools http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1505426.html or how Wake County schools are handling budget shortfalls http://www.newsobserver.com/news/education/story/1505290.html and http://www.newsobserver.com/news/education/story/1503743.html.
I wonder about the new elementary being built, Alston Ridge, that my children are slated to attend in 2010-11. And I wonder how much all the number-crunching and budget-wise decisions will affect our children’s actual classroom experiences.
Even my teacher friends, who considered their vocations recession-proof (though underpaid) have been affected, with those who chose to stay at home with their children for a few years wondering when they might be re-hired (see the article on Wake County canceling its spring job fair) and those who currently teach having hours cut.
I was speaking with my girlfriend in Atlanta about her family’s school situation and how the recession has hit home. The neighborhood school many of her neighbors had deemed unsatisfactory is now taking on a new shine. Parents who were sending their children to private schools are banding together to send them to the neighborhood public school.
My friend, who has a rising kindergartner, had even applied to a private school and recently told them her child would not be attending this fall. The looming specter of 13 years of private school tuition and many peoples’ uncertain job environments are causing a sea change in their area.
Are people in our area reconsidering private school? Or are they making additional sacrifices to continue the private school experience? How are changes affecting home-schoolers? And what about parents of children with special needs who may pay higher tuitions at private facilities to receive necessary services? Will they be forced to make difficult decisions?
I’d like to hear how you think the recession will affect your family and your children’s schooling, as well as any advice you may have for other parents on riding out the recession.
I wonder about the new elementary being built, Alston Ridge, that my children are slated to attend in 2010-11. And I wonder how much all the number-crunching and budget-wise decisions will affect our children’s actual classroom experiences.
Even my teacher friends, who considered their vocations recession-proof (though underpaid) have been affected, with those who chose to stay at home with their children for a few years wondering when they might be re-hired (see the article on Wake County canceling its spring job fair) and those who currently teach having hours cut.
I was speaking with my girlfriend in Atlanta about her family’s school situation and how the recession has hit home. The neighborhood school many of her neighbors had deemed unsatisfactory is now taking on a new shine. Parents who were sending their children to private schools are banding together to send them to the neighborhood public school.
My friend, who has a rising kindergartner, had even applied to a private school and recently told them her child would not be attending this fall. The looming specter of 13 years of private school tuition and many peoples’ uncertain job environments are causing a sea change in their area.
Are people in our area reconsidering private school? Or are they making additional sacrifices to continue the private school experience? How are changes affecting home-schoolers? And what about parents of children with special needs who may pay higher tuitions at private facilities to receive necessary services? Will they be forced to make difficult decisions?
I’d like to hear how you think the recession will affect your family and your children’s schooling, as well as any advice you may have for other parents on riding out the recession.
Tags: carolina, education, north, private, recession, schools, tuition
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