It has been reported by Fox News and other outlets that the Obamas are sending their daughters to the elite Sidwell Friends School. While the Obamas are within their rights to send their daughters to where ever they want to send them for school, this issue highlights a hypocrisy of Barack Obama. According to an editorial in The New York Sun, Obama appeared via video at the American Federation of Teachers convention in Chicago to state his opposition to school vouchers. These vouchers would offer low-income parents, especially minorities, the opportunity to provide the same education enjoyed by the Obama children. While the DC school district is one of the worst performing in the nation, if Obama is such a staunch advocate for public schools, then he should put his money where his mouth is and send his kids to a public school. After all, DC schools were good enough for Amy Carter, when Jimmy was in the White House. While Obama stated that he would support voucher if research showed they were effective. Well, research has shown that they do work, as competition is always better. If Obama wanted to show us the Change that he promised, then he should have sent his children to a public school.
November 29, 2008
Barack Obama: Educational Hypocrite
Posted by Daniel Sauerwein under Education, Politics[3] Comments
November 29, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I don’t think sending his kids to public schools would be wise. A lot of problems could arise if he did.
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November 30, 2008 at 4:05 pm
While I understand your point about school vouchers, keep in mind that these are the President’s kids, which provide some difficulties concerning security at school. Private schools are usually more equipped to deal with kids who come from high-profile background because the school population levels are low, the security measures are more expanded, and teachers are better equipped and experienced to manage the details of working with high profile students. Even if he wanted to try a public school, his situation doesn’t really allow for that to happen.
I don’t really blame you for being annoyed at the choice however. It is certainly nice to be able to write notes about educational opportunity when you happen to be one of the elite who can afford prestigious schooling for your children. I’m not really arguing against your frustration or your point about hypocrisy, just bringing up another practical reason why your suggestion that they attend public school might not really be feasible.
December 10, 2008 at 11:36 pm
amayala,
I do understand that they are the President’s children, but again I stress that DC public schools were good enough for Jimmy Carter’s daughter, so why not the Obama girls? Yes, it is true that Amy Carter was in school thirty years ago and things have changed a bit since then, but if the security is an issue then get tutors for the girls, as at least that would not look as bad as sending them to a private school when you are against choice. In any event, thank you for your comment.