The Hidden Educational Costs Families Face
It’s impossible to argue how much is “too much” to spend when it comes to your kids, especially when his or her success at school is on the table.
And, let’s face it; raising kids is expensive.
What has become troubling to me, over the years, are the costs parents are expected to absorb to ensure their kid has a fair shot at success. There has been much discussion on potential tax increases, the costs parents need to pick up for tutors as a result of the District’s botched Building Thinking Classroom experiment along with a failed approach (or no approach) to COVID Learning loss; however, there are other costs that are under the fold that aren’t often talked about.
Very recently, my kid was graded on an oral biography report. Per the assignment, each student was to dress up as his/her character, demonstrating effort had been put into the ‘costume.’ Apprehensive about spending money on a costume for a 4-minute oral presentation, I helped my child and, together, we made a costume. My kids grade reflected that the costume worn was ‘not enough’ for full credit and the teacher offered several items that would have given full credit. Of those items were things totaling upwards of $100.
Yes, this really pissed me off.
This article is not about assignments, curriculum or teachers. Instead, it’s about why we are expected to spend money in order for our kids to be successful. It’s a sad state of affairs that we need to throw money into nonsense items in order for our kids to receive an “A.”
When and where should the line be drawn when it comes to shelling out cash so kids can all participate on a level and fair playing field?
A costume is not a measure of a students ability or knowledge in a subject matter and it should never be part of a grading scale. It’s not just costumes; asking students to dress in a certain color, or to wear a certain article of clothing to show “spirit”; it’s all the same – it’s assuming every family has the financial means for their child(ren) to participate “like everyone else.”
The truth is, most families struggle in one way or another. Take into account those expenses kids incur outside of school and the impact is hefty.
Let’s get back to the heart of it; educating our kids, no price tags attached.
TIME TO PUT STUDENT NEEDS AHEAD OF LAWYERS AND PETTY POLITICS
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS BERKELEY HEIGHTS
NJ EDUCATION REPORT ON BERKELEY HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGET CONCERNS
This is a potential discriminatory action on the part of the teacher and a serious discussion & reconsideration of the grade should be discussed. In a district that has professed to be commited to “equity “this grading policy is a serious concern. . I am sure your aware that the CEP requires there be no discriminatory practices in curriculm , testing assesment ect. This grading policy most certainly can result in socioeconomic discrimination . And many families are stressed by the various things that need to be purchased for their children to be included .
If you have not already done so I would definately give”stakeholder feedback ” to Dr. Greer regarding this issue . Unfortunately the DEI commitee has no established contact person or process to recieve “stakeholder feedback” so its basically useless .