Comment Re:Oh, really? (Score 1) 1255
Good for you...
I also had a combination of public and private school with military training (Field Radio Repair) and graduated that in the top 5. I started out taking apart gadgets as a kid. I progressed to the 150 in 1 electronics projects kit from Radio Shack (back when they actually sold electronics parts instead of becoming just another cell phone store). My dad was very supportive of my technical learning. And that is what it all comes down to. Do the parents actually take an interest in what their kids do and support them in their efforts.
The same goes with the choice of schools. Why would anyone support a failing school and risk their kids future just to prolong that failing school's agony so they can force the same substandard education on other victims? This whole argument is based on the premise that parents have the time or inclination to keep that substandard school around for nostalgic reasons alone. The best thing for those schools is to vote with your feet.