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tigermom · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2006, 05:09 PM

I work in the social services area of public health in Louisiana. Recently with Katrina, a spotlight has been placed on the poor of New Orleans. The school system in NOLA has been terrible for years, if not centuries. The crime rate, especially the murder rate is sky high, and it is all attributed to the never ending cycle of poverty in the project areas/9th ward of New Orleans.

From what I have seen, working with truancy centers, substance abuse programs, etc., a good education would help end this cycle for some families. If a kid feels they are wanted and cared for by the school system, then they will achieve better, lessen the dropout rate, drug use rate, teenaged pregnancy rate.
What is your opinion on this??

And how come education is not the #1 mission of the US government? I can't even get into what the positive outcomes would be, there are so many. Seriously, I really am confused about why American schools are so terrible in so many places!!!