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virtualchoirboy t1_itgs6yh wrote

Reply to comment by mintccicecream in CT got 3rd best school system after NJ, MA coming in first. by IndicationOver

From past experience when my kids were in school, private will always "rate" better because they can decline to enroll children that would add stress to their system (i.e, ESL, those with physical or learning disabilities, etc). Thus, the kids that are enrolled do better on standardized tests and moving on to higher education. This makes it seem like the private schools are "better", but it's simply because they are choosy about the students enrolled. Public school has no choice but to take everyone the private schools reject.

My kids went public and have done better than some of their friends that went private. I firmly believe a part of their success was that my wife and I were involved parents. We made school a priority and we were available to help them where necessary. We went to meet the teacher nights. We went to parent teacher conferences. We didn't assume that our kids could do no wrong either. If they messed up, they had to accept responsibility and we'd help them figure out how to move forward.

And from the teachers we talked to, parent involvement is one of the biggest factors that influence how well a child does in school. If the parents don't care, the kids won't care.

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stlouisbrowns t1_itgtort wrote

Additionally, public schools require teachers to have master's degrees, to complete intensive programs to attain certification, to earn CEU's through continued staff development throughout their careers, and to teach to established skills standards.

Private schools make no such requirements of their teachers.

The one private school requirement I've seen, which is never spoken, is that the applicant come from a private school background. No Townies Need Apply.

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mintccicecream t1_itgtwd0 wrote

Oh wow! I did not know this. Does it apply to only high school or is it all grade levels? I am from the south and this was definitely not a thing. I see a lot of girls from my old high school graduate from college and immediately start teaching. This is great information, thanks so much!

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fatherfatpants t1_ith3gzu wrote

What u/stlouisbrowns said is mostly correct, but you can start teaching with your bachelors but are expected to get your masters in pretty short order. This applies to all grade levels.

CT is pretty awesome like that and why even our shitty schools are better than mid-tier schools in many other states.

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stlouisbrowns t1_itijk0t wrote

Thanks for that clarification /u/fatherfatpants -- yes you can start under for example a DSAP - District Shortage Area Permit - and have a bachelor's only, but then you still have to go through their intensive certification program (it was called BEST when I went through it, not sure what it's called now) and you're expected to get your Masters within a few years. It's intense. Just teaching, doing it well, with all the reflection etc involved, is exhausting in and of itself.

Totally worth it though.

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roo-ster t1_itj2qle wrote

> you can start teaching with your bachelors but are expected to get your masters in pretty short order. This applies to all grade levels.

This is true of public schools. Private schools in CT have to be periodically accredited but they're able to set their own standards for teachers.

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fatherfatpants t1_itj3bve wrote

Right, which is why I said that stlouisbrowns is mostly correct. They just missed the part about being able to start with your bachelors and what grade levels it applied to.

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roo-ster t1_itj45dx wrote

Private school teachers in CT don't need to be certified or have a masters degree, or be working towards one. Each school sets the qualifications for their teachers.

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fatherfatpants t1_itj8aed wrote

We were talking about public school and they had already indicated that private schools have a different set of rules.

No one is disagreeing with you, just pointing out its already been said.

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husky429 t1_ithrq39 wrote

You start teaching with a bachelors. Need a Master's within 7 years or so to keep your license.

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mintccicecream t1_itgsx09 wrote

Thank you!! This was really insightful. My husband and I both attended public school and are now doing well for ourselves. Was wondering if private schools would make a significant difference, but this answered my question for sure. I’m thinking we will end up investing in a home in a good town with a good school district instead of shelling out money for private. Thanks so much!

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WhittlingDan t1_itiyhhd wrote

Save the money and spend some of it on high quality tutors. Spend the rest of it creating rewards and incentives for your child that carry him or her through high school at a minimum but college too if possible.

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Time_Yam301 t1_itjppqp wrote

This. I needed a math tutor in high school. Only truly elite boarding schools provide that kind of individualized attention. Regular private schools do not, at all.

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76before84 t1_itm3r2c wrote

It really depends on the public schools as well. A lot of towns have great public schools where it makes it not worth it to pay for private. But it also shows in your property taxes as well.

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IndicationOver OP t1_ithtooh wrote

I'm from Middletown so I know people who went to both Mercy and Xavier High School along with Middletown High.......all of those who went to college after they are in the same socioeconomic spectrum. Of course public or private some kids are going to be higher achievers.

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