Now, with regard to the program the KDE is offering. I don't think that it should be offered by the KDE to private schools. This is a program by the Kentucky Department of Education. Other than having to meet KDE requirements for graduation, I don't think we're are under of the auspecies of the KDE.

 

That's just my opinion, and may not be popular, but I feel I made the choice to put my kids in the schools I did for reasons much different than cheap computer software and components. And, I'd make that choice again and again and again.

 

I agree 100 percent.

So is Bush the ONLY politician that could get on national television and promote this study or the only one you like to lay all the blame at their feet? I haven't heard ONE DEMOCRAT Presidential candidate mention this study either. And there is what 32 of them?

 

It was the Bush Administration, lead by Sec. Spellings that released the report. Releasing it under mandatory reporting deadlines, I might add. It was the Bush Adminstration, lead by Sec. Spellings that started and created the report. Laying blame or pointing out the facts. As for Democrat, Obama and Edwards both have referenced it many times. Republican, Thompson had a press conference on its release, Gulianni made note to it. Hope this helps your misunderstanding of the matter.

LBBC, who ranks Berea above Centre?

 

I went to a public high school in California. California's school system has been bankrupt for many years. They are very creative and innovative out there in the way they do things. Frankly, their response to policy issues is always light years ahead of the country.

 

When I came to Centre, there were a lot of public school students and a lot of private school students. I don't recall either "group" doing any better than the other in terms of GPA and class rank. Some of the magna and summa cum laude crowd were public, and I remember at least two private. I remember two girls from private schools in the northeast who were remarkably good students. I could not say what the breakdown was "per capita."

 

My experience is this - there are certain aspects of a private school education that force a student to develop rigorous, disciplined study habits on a daily and weekly basis, so that on a per student average, I have always found private school students to be more prepared test-takers and to have more of a defined study "plan," and also on a per student basis that private school students tend to have more of a worldview about what is going on outside in the world than in the here and the now.

 

However, my experience has also been that public school students who themselves develop these same rigorous study habits can actually have more advantage because public schools tend to have better potential range and breadth of curriculum offerings, and other similar advantages. That is probably what I ran into at Centre.

 

The bottom line is that a good college can be the great equalizer. The same was true for athletics. We had a number of starters from both the St. X and Trinity football and baseball teams that were teammates with me on those teams at Centre. They had all won state championships in high school and earned individual accolades. But at the college level, you have filtered the best from many schools, and I do not recall them performing at a higher level or working any harder than their public school teammates.

 

If I had the money, the school was available, and it was appropriate for my sons, I would send them to a private school. A large part of that decision has to do with my private belief that education should be an individually funded investment, and also that a private school may be able to somewhat overcome the time that I DON'T spend with my sons. However, I also believe that the way it stands in this country today, a student who shows enough interest and puts in enough effort can achieve just as many rewards in public school, if not more, than they can in private school, and I intend to do that with my sons at Bardstown, where my first child will be starting kindergarten this fall.

Hearsay,

 

I agree completely. The simple fact is that most students who do well at the Public and Private schools are GENERALLY those who have parents that are involved - even minimally - in their education.

 

Big question - When did you graduate from Centre? 1994?

So much boils down to the individual student and his/her family. It is up to them to develop proper study habits regardless of whether they attend public or private school.

 

I attended a large public high school in Maryland; and when I went to Morehead, I can truly say that the first couple of years were almost remedial. When I got deeper into my major, things were tougher and I actually had to work.

 

My son graduated from Mason County High School. His study habits were better than mine. He was a National Merit Scholar and graduated magna from Vanderbilt. Because of the range and breadth, as Hearsay so accurately puts it, of the high school curriculum, he was able to succeed at the next level.

 

I cannot say that I am familiar with the private school environment; but I have several friends who attended, or whose children attend St. Patrick here in Maysville, and the majority of them wouldn't have it any other way. I feel the same about the local public school. It prepared my son, and is preparing my daughter very well for college.

 

Hearsay's last sentence sums it up very well.

Relax, boys and girls. I would agree that many well prepared students come out of the public school systems around Kentucky, I am saying that there is a lot of waste of money which is a luxury that private schools don't enjoy. And, since private schoolers pay a good bit into the public pot, I believe that we have a right to expect a little better management of our money.

 

And, since some of you erroneously believe that only "rich people" attend private schools, I guess it could be said that we pay a much higher share per capita of the largess to the public schools than do those who partake of the public "fruits".

 

If you public people were as vehement about fiscal responsibility as you are about wearing your feelings on your sleeves, I'll bet the situation would be better for all of us.

 

As for your "studies", I would consider the sources. The statistics may be true and they may be "altered". I wouldn't put much faith in a report from Rush Limbaugh or Air America. The federal and state DOEs are no different in motivation. Self-perpetuation is always an incenitive to paint with a bright, rosy brush.

 

By the way, Berea is a fine school. However, Centre is without equal in this state. Monetarily speaking, the overall background of the two student bodies is much different. Each has its place.

Hearsay,

 

I agree completely. The simple fact is that most students who do well at the Public and Private schools are GENERALLY those who have parents that are involved - even minimally - in their education.

 

Big question - When did you graduate from Centre? 1994?

 

Yup.

So much boils down to the individual student and his/her family. It is up to them to develop proper study habits regardless of whether they attend public or private school.

 

I attended a large public high school in Maryland; and when I went to Morehead, I can truly say that the first couple of years were almost remedial. When I got deeper into my major, things were tougher and I actually had to work.

 

My son graduated from Mason County High School. His study habits were better than mine. He was a National Merit Scholar and graduated magna from Vanderbilt. Because of the range and breadth, as Hearsay so accurately puts it, of the high school curriculum, he was able to succeed at the next level.

 

I cannot say that I am familiar with the private school environment; but I have several friends who attended, or whose children attend St. Patrick here in Maysville, and the majority of them wouldn't have it any other way. I feel the same about the local public school. It prepared my son, and is preparing my daughter very well for college.

 

Hearsay's last sentence sums it up very well.

 

Magna from Vandy. Well done, proud daddy. Doesn't get any better than that. :thumb:

 

By the way, Berea is a fine school. However, Centre is without equal in this state. Monetarily speaking, the overall background of the two student bodies is much different. Each has its place.

You need to talk to US News and World Report that consistently year in and year out ranks Berea in front of Centre and Transy.

You need to talk to US News and World Report that consistently year in and year out ranks Berea in front of Centre and Transy.

 

I've read U.S. News' college rankings for years and years and never recall seeing this.

 

I do remember Murray State being voted best value in the southeast in 2006.

I've read U.S. News' college rankings for years and years and never recall seeing this.

 

I do remember Murray State being voted best value in the southeast in 2006.

 

In the 2007 version, both Centre (44) and Transy (T95) were among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the country.

Top Liberal Arts Colleges

 

 

Berea was listed as the No. 1 comprehensive college in the south, and Asbury was third. Thomas More and KWC (T25), Brescia (34), Pikeville (46) and Ky Christian (49) also made this list. Clearly they are ranked by different criteria than Centre and Transy.

 

Top Comprehensive Colleges in the South

You need to talk to US News and World Report that consistently year in and year out ranks Berea in front of Centre and Transy.

 

It is not my purpose to downplay the fine work done at Berea. However, anyone familiar with institutions of higher learning would have to admit that Centre is the crown jewel of Kentucky higher education. Transylvania and Georgetown are fine but they are not Centre. Berea and Asbury fullfil their purposes well but are not in the league with the others. UK, U of L, and the regionals are what they are and they are fine though clearly not among the better public institutions.

 

I have always had a problem with Todd's slogan for UK. Somehow saying that UK is the "next great university" merely admits that it is not a great university. Most of my family members are UK graduates, as am I, however, it doesn't change my perception of the school.

 

If USNWR has Berea rated above Centre, I must conclude that it is because of the nature of Berea's enrollment rather than the quality of its programs. Liberal publications, like USNWR, would be "intrigued" by Berea's emphasis on those with financial need so I assume points would be given for that. Centre, on the other hand, is often seen as somewhat "elitist". However, I find nothing wrong with being self assured.

Relax, boys and girls. I would agree that many well prepared students come out of the public school systems around Kentucky, I am saying that there is a lot of waste of money which is a luxury that private schools don't enjoy. And, since private schoolers pay a good bit into the public pot, I believe that we have a right to expect a little better management of our money.

 

And, since some of you erroneously believe that only "rich people" attend private schools, I guess it could be said that we pay a much higher share per capita of the largess to the public schools than do those who partake of the public "fruits".

 

If you public people were as vehement about fiscal responsibility as you are about wearing your feelings on your sleeves, I'll bet the situation would be better for all of us.

 

As for your "studies", I would consider the sources. The statistics may be true and they may be "altered". I wouldn't put much faith in a report from Rush Limbaugh or Air America. The federal and state DOEs are no different in motivation. Self-perpetuation is always an incenitive to paint with a bright, rosy brush.

By the way, Berea is a fine school. However, Centre is without equal in this state. Monetarily speaking, the overall background of the two student bodies is much different. Each has its place.

 

Ignorance is bliss!:thumb:

 

The basis of the study released by the Bush Administration had a foundation point to advocate an academic advantage for vouchers. Their study failed to obtain that foundation point.

 

Good words to use "you public people" shall we call you something of reference in return? You paint a wide brush of fiscal irresponsibility. Are you really claiming such exists in private schools better than public schools?:lol:

 

And as stated many times before, the general public underwrites the private school industry more than you give it credit for. But, why bother trying to explain with assumptions being held as hard facts.

Ignorance is bliss!:thumb:

 

The basis of the study released by the Bush Administration had a foundation point to advocate an academic advantage for vouchers. Their study failed to obtain that foundation point.

 

Good words to use "you public people" shall we call you something of reference in return? You paint a wide brush of fiscal irresponsibility. Are you really claiming such exists in private schools better than public schools?:lol:

 

And as stated many times before, the general public underwrites the private school industry more than you give it credit for. But, why bother trying to explain with assumptions being held as hard facts.

 

 

Mr. SilverShadow, I wouldn't go so far as to call your generalities "ignorance" as do you. However, I am glad that you are blissful. I have read your emotional posts in support of public schools for several years. I salute you for your loyalty. However, I would ask if you also argued in support of the captain of the Titanic and General Custer?

 

By the way, you reached a new level of spin by stating that private schools are underwritten by the general public. Your statement implies that the "underwriting" is major. A few bus rides, limited federal programs, and cartons of milk hardly allow for such a biased conclusion. Of course, I suppose we could split hairs and say that some private schools receive a payback of one cent on the dollar for what its constituency contributes to the public coffers.

 

The private school of which I am most aware, arather well know school, received absolute zero. Actually, the school prefers this so that the absurdities of the federal and state beauracracy don't seep into the school.

The private school of which I am most aware, arather well know school, received absolute zero. Actually, the school prefers this so that the absurdities of the federal and state beauracracy don't seep into the school.

 

So the streets, the water lines, the sewer lines, the sidewalks, the police protection, fire protection, etc., etc., etc. is of NO benefit or help to this absolutely ZERO recevied place? Where is it located? Somewhere over the rainbow?:lol:

 

Your example pays absolutely no taxes whatsoever but receives significant value from it. How is that not being public supported? Probably a large portion of their revenue is an allowed tax deduction for someone or some organization. How is that not being public supported? Never ceases to surprise. As for support of private schooled captain to a boat or a private schooled army general, I would probably cast my support in another area.

 

Sorry to hear you have real issues with education and educators.