In my "In Box"

Since deciding to relocate, I have taken some heavy hits from some friends and family including Buster's mother. She was dogging me, telling me that Buster really likes his school and why can't I wait a few years to move.

I explained to her that I had growing concerns about the quality of education that he was receiving there. By design, they leave parents out of the loop in an attempt to get the kids to take ownership of their on educational path, it's a sink or swim concept that sounds great but might be a tad unrealistic.

Here is an email I got today from another parent on the "Parent Email List"

I'm a parent of a second year NOVA student. I would like to see the competency based model applied across the board, to faculty & administration as well as students, and some demonstrable outcomes described, assessed, and evaluated, for the system as a whole. If I had understood what the NOVA process was like, I would have advocated for a different school for my student.

I am searching for a place to have my voice heard regarding my concerns, and so far have been met with lots of silence...I'm beginning to wonder if dissent isn't well regarded in the NOVA culture. There is alot about NOVA which needs examination and maturing, in my experience. What my child is "getting" is that her school is flaky & frustrating (her words). What I am "getting" as a parent is that there is no discernible culture of accountability & responsibility, and little support for parents. As a mom of an alum put it, 'I've had to accept that my NOVA student is undereducated'. How sad.

I find the school not only "free", but highly unsupportive of students who, as first-year and some second year, do not have the skills or maturity to negotiate the no-structure environment. It seems patently unfair for them, and a set-up for failure, as a sink-or-swim situation. This has been entirely different than a so-called democratic school. I do not find NOVA to be democratically run...in a democracy, there are supportive institutions which allow for informed participation. The confusion and lack of consistency and accountability at NOVA undermines the goal democratic participation, I believe.

In my family, the consequence has been that we, her parents, have had to be the ones who provided structure & responsibility. . . at a time when teens prefer to look outside the family for their models, and high school teachers have been, in the best situations, role models to be counted upon. That has not been the case at NOVA. Thank goodness our student has two incredible mentors, who have been working with us daily throughout the years, so we could get some support. I had hoped for support from NOVA, and have not found it.

I would have appreciated a transition year or two for my student, rather than a toss-her-into the fray. She would have had more successes on which to build her confidence & concrete skills, and consequently a better experience in school. I've heard from other parents privately that they concur, but don't feel comfortable saying so out loud. What will it take to legitimize dissenting views about NOVA in an effort to examine & perhaps improve this school?

Though I don't count on a response from anyone, I hope for one.

Thanks...

Rebecca