Today, I’ve been resisting the urge to blog, since it’s the end of January in MN, which for those folks who aren’t in the know, means it’s cold, dreary and without enough light. This means I’m a little grouchy even on a good day.

With that as my disclaimer, I am launching in to a complaint session about our education system. I watched the documentary “Waiting for Superman” the other night (again) and while I realize, as with any documentary, there are always critics, and  others crying foul as in here.  I am not informed to launch an all out debate about the merits on any one movie. My point, simply here, is that there many things portrayed in this movie that ring a little too true to my life experience, and that frustrates me.

At current count, for those keeping track we have applied at 6 private schools, 3 different districts, none of which are our resident district, we are on 3 different charter school lottery lists with odds that are astounding (read discouraging) and yet, I’m trying every day to feel optimistic.

My daughter visited yet another school today, and she likes this one best of all, she tells me. Yet, since the financial aid piece is critical in our case, I feel like I can’t base my decision on her ideals, but rather who will be able to help us pay for school. That seems more than a little backwards. The other option of course is taking out student loans and begins to get my child in debt in elementary school. Not likely.

Now, I’m aware that I’m not the only parent to go through this, now and in the future, however, this makes me think about our education system as a whole, and I have to say I don’t like it.

Maybe tomorrow, when I’m less grouchy, I’ll have a productive, inspiring answer for other parents, but right now, if I were in 3^rd grade, I’m pretty sure I’d be in the time-out chair.

-CM