Going to school in America.

Tomorrow Rowena starts school and we are thrilled about yet another mile stone. The experience of enrolling her in school was interesting. In US kids become eligible for free public education, irrespective of legal status of parents, at age 5 (I'd say that's a year later than I'd like). Side note, Macaulay's speech in the British  Parliament on the need for a free public education is a shining gem.

School year starts after Labor Day (First week of September). Around May I called the school district official and inquired about the formalities. It was simple and straightforward. Just fill out a form, provide supporting documents to prove residency in county (not legality of residence in country), vaccination  history from doctor, choose after school program and thats it. When I asked if my daughter would get a 'seat' as I would be filing the request only in late June after returning from vacation, I was told "Sir, your child, as resident of this county, is 'ENTITLED', to a seat, do not worry have a nice vacation".

One fine morning we went to the school and filed the paperwork. A cheerful lady checked out the documents, answered all our questions, absolutely polite. A typical school day for a KG class is just 3 hours (very inadequate) so we had to enroll Rowena in after school care. After school programs, especially or KG students, are pricey at approx $750 per month. A challenge for working parents especially for those whose income may not justify the extra expense but need the extra income. Students get heavily subsidized lunch, poor students get almost free food. School lunches are a hot topic. Michelle Obama heads a task force to reduce obesity among students and school lunch choices are scrutinized for health choices. Sodas have been removed from lunch offerings.


Last week when I stopped by Walmart I saw, at the entrance, for each class, list of what is required for classes. The list was from the school. "Back to School" shopping is a multi-billion dollar industry. Stores like Walmart and Target have large sections devoted to school supplies and promotional programs are heavily advertised (ad revenues for media runs to millions). Large corporations have charity drives to collect 'back-to-school' supplies for poor students.


Once we filed the paperwork the admissions process proceeded seamlessly. Out of 3 elementary schools we were sent notifications from one school to which Rowena was assigned to. Of course we did feel a tad overwhelmed by the forms we had to fill in (no online submission and no central co-ordination). For the subsidized food we knew we were not eligible but we had to submit it to say "no thanks". We had to apply separately for school bus.

School buses are a charm in US. When a school bus picks up a child, in front of his/her home, the traffic on either side of the median comes to a standstill while the tiny tot walks, at his/her own pace, towards the bus. Only after the door shuts does the traffic resume. Also a long rod like restraint flips open to prevent the kid from running across the bus. Of course the bus comes equipped with adequate seating and emergency exits. School buses are free of cost.

An orientation program was organized for KG students. Its a federal mandate to communicate with parents in a language they will understand so all communication is bilingual in English and Spanish (taxpayer expense!!!). Whether its college orientation or a KG students orientation the goal is the same. Introducing the school to the students, making the students and parents comfortable with the school and its procedures, basically making the students "FEEL WELCOME". The school authorities were cheerful, humor abounded in every aspect, everyone was equally respected. No uniforms. Teachers introduced themselves with a cheer and wave of hands. Somebody dressed up as school mascot posed for snaps with kids.

Rowena and we went with Rowena's assigned teacher (most Hispanic kids went with a 'bilingual' teacher). The hallways had cartoons painted on walls. The classroom had an air of kid friendliness with posters, a US flag and of course some helpful rules too. A rule taught children to 'respect property' by not vandalizing it, another taught them to 'respect others' by not intruding in their freedoms. 5 computers were neatly lined up. The classroom had an attached toilet so that kids need not step out of the classroom unsupervised (5 year olds). Even the toilet was kid friendly, set low, clean.

The teacher introduced herself, talked about her kid then read out a small story. She encouraged the students to ask questions, she made the kids feel comfortable and 'friendly'.

Each student gets a cubby to keep their things. No lugging of heavy textbooks. Homework is listed online on school websites. Textbooks, very pricey, are free of cost and are to be returned at the end of school year in pristine condition.

Americans take education, especially school education, very seriously. Debates rage on school textbook contents, each textbook is prepared with a panoply of experts. Publishers vie with each other to get textbook contracts. Publishers compete with products that take education to its very frontiers. Presidents deliver addresses to students on first day of school. Networks carry prime time discussions between Secretary of Education and Teachers unions covering a range of topics from merit pay to teachers to funding schools. George Bush and Barack Obama completely changed how America educates its children. It is thrilling to see a President put education on the top of his domestic agenda. Obama's "race to the top" program for allocating millions of dollars to states that SHOW reforms is changing the landscape of  education. In the process, for once, he is at loggerheads with a very powerful union, the teachers union.

September is also when there is a glut of articles in leading newspapers about the state of education, issues concerning parenting, changes that are sweeping the academic portals, questioning if tenured professors put enough work, school dorm costs, curriculum changes and so much more hit the FRONT PAGES.

Indians have a lot of misconceptions about America and the worst is how human relationships, especially parent-child, are materialistic. This is total bunkum. American parents are very affectionate and like any parent like to see their kids excel. We think American parents are 'aloof' about their kids. Terms like "helicopter parents" denote parents who constantly hover around their kids. Recently NYT ran an article on how parents undergo separation anxiety when they leave the kids on the first day of college.

I've purposely stayed away from recounting my days in Indian schools and colleges. Suffice it to say that it was anything but any of the above. Lets leave it at that.