Newsweek's 100 best schools

[Nina Walsh <WalshFamily@COMPUSERVE.COM>]

<<How do you see the value of such a list?  Is it a valid measure? Do
others on lm_net
see other schools listed that are from areas of wealth or university/scho=
ol
towns? >>

I think there is a lot of value to this list  and definite validity as a
measurement!  Yes, the list is heavy with wealthy communities.  What
surprises me is that Naperville is not listed!!  We are a city of 110,000=

which is a bubble of society with a highly educated, not rich but
definitely upper class populace who all live in 2 story colonials with
mostly stay-at-home moms, and 1 car plus van or SUV in the garage.  We se=
em
to be at the top of most lists including the Most Kid Friendly City in th=
e
USA last year.

I think that what this list is saying is what Dan Quayle has been trying =
to
say for years -- family values are crucial to the upbringing and educatio=
n
of our children!  My theory on what is wrong with education today has
nothing to do with the teachers or teaching styles or administration or
budgets.  We have the best trained teachers in the world!   It has to do
with what is going on at home!!!!  Are the parents supportive and active =
in
the child's education.  Does the child have a safe environment in which t=
o
live.  Money is not as important as family values.  However, you will fin=
d
that children from more wealthy school districts are experiencing more
quality family living.  Not because of the money per se, but because the
money allows them to live in a school district with less crime and fewer
"unfortunate" family situations.  Only the extraordinary child can rise
above their less than perfect surroundings to achieve in school.  Whereas=
,
only the truly learning disabled child (for whatever reason) is *not* goi=
ng
to achieve in stable surroundings.

,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,=
=2E-
*"*
Nina Walsh
Children's Librarian, Naperville Public Library =

400 W. Jefferson St.
Naperville, IL 60540
nwalsh@lib.naperville.il.us
ninawalsh@aol.com
630-961-4100 x 228
*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*=
-.
,,.

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