I already knew these things, but my experience dealing with Dekalb County yesterday cemented it: You really, really have to take responsibility for your own child’s education. The squeaky wheel DOES get the grease. If you complain enough, and put people’s jobs on the line, they will cave, and they will waste taxpayer money (tens of thousands of dollars, in this instance) to save their own asses. This caving might possibly benefit you, in the end, but it is a waste of taxpayer money, just the same. And if you are not watching these folks with an eagle eye, and guiding your child’s every move within the system with the utmost care, you are getting screwed by the county. I guarantee it.
If you are leaving it up to the system alone to educate your child, you are doing your child a disservice. There are great teachers and administrators, but there are plenty of rotten apples in this barrel. You actually have to be there like a watchdog, holding your hand’s child every step of the way, if you want to make sure they are getting what they need.
And it is just heartbreaking how many kids don’t have savvy, outspoken parents, (or parents who have the time to miss 2+ hours of work on a Monday to attend a meeting,) and who are getting lost in the system, or screwed over and they never even know it is happening to them.
Love,
A very cynical Dogwood Girl.