School diversity

There has been a long-standing policy in the Wake County Public School System (where I received most of my education until my high school graduation) to obtain diversity. This, for several years, has meant that children are bussed all over the county in order to create an atmosphere in the schools that balances socioeconomic standings throughout the school. This means that some students are on the bus for more than an hour both going to and coming from school...just so that "rich" kids and "poor" kids are mixed in the schools.

There are several reasons that I disagree with this:

• Parents are highly encouraged to be involved in their child's education; however, when the family lives 30 minutes from the school, it becomes difficult to remain involved...or have the energy to do so after a long day at work.
• Everyone in our culture will agree that most children need more exercise. Being involved in scholastic sports, mostly at the middle and high school levels, will provide not only the physical activity that so many children need but also the socialization that is so important at that stage of development. However, when school is not just around the corner, particularly when the student is relying on parents for transportation after practice and games, these children may be discouraged from participating in these activities due to inconveniences. (This can be said for all after-school activities, namely drama programs and clubs.)
• On the continued topic of socialization, being a spectator in sports is a great way to socialize with friends and other classmates. If you have to drive a good distance to the event, you're not likely to go -- at least I wouldn't be, and I know other people who would not be inclined to attend. This can lead to a lack of revenue for the school's athletic programs, as well.
• Neighborhood schools allow student to go to school with their neighbors (thus the system is called "neighborhood schools"). This can allow them to form deep friendships instead of more superficial ones with their classmates who live on the other side of the county. Their friendships with their neighbors will also be more superficial. The more friendships a person tries to juggle, the more difficult it is to have a meaningful relationship with them all. 
• Students who are on the bus for up to an hour before school are not likely to perform as well as if the bus ride is only 20 minutes. For starters, they must begin their day extra-early in order to catch the bus which will, in turn, cause them to be more tired throughout the day which can decrease performance in the classroom.
• The argument of obtaining "socioeconomic diversity" is one I don't support. You choose what neighborhood to move into -- and people often choose it on the basis of the school that their child will be attending. If you don't like the school, you will sometimes choose another place to live.
• With all of the governmental budget cuts over the last few years, all government entities (especially schools who continue to grow despite these cuts) have had to tighten their belts. I don't know an actual figure...but I am sure that money could be saved from the bus system if they aren't driving all over this side of the world in order to ship students around. Perhaps the money saved can help to fund other programs in the schools? Just a thought...

My simple caveat to all of this is that when you have more "poor" students in one school over another, each school still needs to receive the same amount of money per student. Because the school isn't full of "wealthy" children doesn't mean that they get more money per head. That's not right. But shipping people all over the county for education that is in their own backyard isn't right either.

So what brought this up? Well, this evening as I had the television on in the background while doing some homework (I cannot work in silence), a commercial came on for another school system in North Carolina that talked about diversity. This commercial was saying that diversity is an "essential" part of the educational system and that without it, students are not well-rounded or prepared for the world ahead. As it caught my eye, I noticed that every person speaking was African-American. Not a single person was white...or even Hispanic (an ever-growing population, particularly in this state).

People of some other nationality, particularly (it seems) African-Americans are pushing so hard for this "equality" that can include this "socioeconomic diversity" plan despite the negatives that are so evident. If every school receives "X" amount of money per head, there isn't a lack of diversity -- there is, however, an increase in involvement, especially in clubs that may be community-based. If you can tell me why this is negative, please inform me. I can't find anything there.

There is a new superintendent for the school system -- today is his first day on the job. I think it will be interesting to see how he may change the WCPS system and how he is able to work with the school board.