No, I don’t. I think schools are getting worse as the years go by. My wife and I are only in our 30s, and I remember feeling that my schooling did not really prepare me for much of anything. I do not think that it has gotten any better since. I worry about my own child and his schooling. Right now we are trying to decide if we should go the private route. Christina Hernandez Intern San Fernando High School I don’t. These days I am hearing that it takes a college education to get just an average job what a high school diploma would get you 20 years ago. I recently got my master’s degree, and from the opportunities I have seen so far, I feel my potential income will only be slightly above average. Kids these days receive passing grades that they do not deserve simply to move them on through the system. My husband and I are looking to move, partly because I do not want my kids to end up in the L.A. school system. David Clark Vice President of E-Commerce Warner Bros. Studio Stores As a general rule, I think the schools are making great progress, especially in the increased use of computers to train our kids. Erin Barr Inter/Media Advertising Account Supervisor Even though today’s schools teach kids how to be book smart, they definitely don’t teach anything about life skills. Whether you’re a college graduate or drop-out, most people start out in the work force in some kind of entry level position. David Nash Attorney Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP Not having any children, I would have to rely on (the opinions of) other people. My understanding is that schools are not adequately preparing kids for the workforce. Children need additional training in vocational aspects. We need to have a more realistic expectation of what the workforce needs. There are two types of students those in the high-tech world and those in the vocational world. I do not think that schools do a great job at teaching either skill. Felice Kurtzman Lecturer UCLA School of Medicine I have kids that attend private and public schools. I feel that the education in private schools emphasizes basic skills much more than public schools. The ones in private school learn in a structured writing program. In order to be successful in the world, one must be a good writer. Unfortunately, my son who attends public school just doesn’t have the same skills as those in private.
