Schooled: What Would You Do For a Quality Education

What Would You Do…For a Quality Education

Recently, an Ohio mother was granted clemency for her crimes.  

I know what you’re thinking- last week I talked about sports and now I’m talking about crimes.  I’m supposed to talk education- but don’t worry, I’m not straying as far as you think.

Ohio mother Kelley Williams-Bolar, who is in the process of becoming a certified teacher, decided that her community was not able to provide her children with a safe environment or an adequate education.  Her father, however, lived in a better school district, so she registered her children using her father’s address and drove them every day to a better school.  Because many parents were attempting to do the same thing, school districts nationwide have been hiring detectives to follow children who take cross town transportation to see if they are attempting to “steal” an education.

Williams-Bolar spent nine days behind bars and was ordered to pay $30,000 in back tuition.

This story raised a lot of questions for me.  What does this say, first of all, about our commitment to make sure “no child is left behind”? Second, what does this say about fair treatment under the law? Williams-Bolar is at least a legal citizen of the United States- we have children in our schools who aren’t legal residents and underfunded schools.  Should we be trying harder to charge tuition to students who don’t belong?

Finally, what does this say about race relations in the United States? Several media outlets are saying the real issue here is that Williams-Bolar is black and put her children in a “white” school district.  I personally know at least ten families who have their children at different schools because their “daycare” provider is in that district- even though you will see their child at “daycare” only for occasional playdates.

Just something to think about.