Why the Rev. Meeks has it wrong on school boycott

September 2nd, 2008 at 03:28pm Chuck Sweeny

Don’t know about you but I’m perplexed that the Rev. James Meeks, a Chicago pastor and member of the Illinois legislature, went ahead with his student boycott of Chicago public schools.

What a great example to set for the kiddies! Stay out of school. That’ll help you get smart.

Meeks says that Chicago public schools, which spend $11,500 per student, are underfunded!!!!!!!! That’s more than Rockford spends! It’s certainly adequate to offer a challenging education.

Meeks isn’t satisfied. He took children north to the New Trier district to register for school, which of course they couldn’t do, probably bewildering the children. New Trier spends $17,500 per student. Yes, they do. But they are taxing themselves more to do it.  The way the state school formula is constructed, well-off districts like New Trier get little money from state coffers.

Meeks believes kids shouldn’t be assigned to schools according to where they live. He likens it to apartheid in the old South Africa.

But most Americans of all races want neighborhood schools. It’s what the original desegregation suits were all about — black children were not allowed to go to nearby white schools in their neighborhoods. They sued for the right to attend them. They won.

If Chicago schools were grossly underfunded, I could see making a fuss. But they are not. The fact is, concerned parents scrape money together in Chicago to send their children to private schools, which spend much less per student, so their children can get a better education.

Rather than demand more money, I’d rather see Meeks put pressure on the Democrats to stand up to the powerful teachers union lobby. Demand that they lift the lid on the low number of charter schools allowed. Demand that they pass a voucher law to allow economically disadvantaged parents the choice of where to send their children to school.

Demand merit pay and accountability for teachers.

And finally,  work to build a  culture of respect for learning from the community, so that adults are constantly reaffirming the fact that education is valuable, and that going to school and doing your best is the only ticket to a better future.

Then, I reckon the Rev. Meeks would see some results. Throwing more money at a dysfunctional school won’t work.

Entry Filed under: rev. meeks