THE US REPORT

Days after the presidential election, various pundits and tongue waggers spent time debating what breed of dog would be best for President-Elect Barack Obama’s family. From poodles to labs, infotainers discussed the high points of doggie selection. Now there’s a new topic—where will the Obama children go to school?

In the Nov. 12 edition of USA Today, there’s an editorial suggesting public schools in the Washington area—“to boost reform, offer Obama a reality check.” The reality check is of course the opportunity for a politician to see the impact of the ‘No Child Left Behind Act.’ Many readers will know my own disdain for that act. I’d like it retooled to ‘No Parent Permitting a Child to Be Left Behind.’ Because in my opinion the lion’s share of responsibility for children should be on a parent’s shoulders.

If parents treat their child’s education irresponsibly by permitting excess absenteeism and/or unacceptable behavior in class, exact a penalty, in the interest of justice for the child. For older children, linking an education to a driver's license would work. No diploma, no unrestricted license. Cry individual rights all you want to, we need a solution and there doesn't appear to be one on the political horizon.

My children mostly attended government schools, with a brief exception for our younger daughter. She had to have serious surgery when she was in grade school and there was a fairly long recovery. So for the two years after that, we placed her in a Christian school. Our faith was not the school’s faith, but that school provided one of the best educations in the land. That two year period was the only time our children weren’t in public aka government schools.

I’ve often criticized politicians for sending their own children to private schools, especially Democrats. My criticism is over the voucher issue. I believe tax money designated for schooling should be directed by a parent rather than the government.

However, I find it self-serving for a public schools proponent to suggest the president-elect use his children to set an example. Choice in schooling is the parents' call. The Obama daughters haven’t attended a public school, and the move to Washington will have a strong impact on the family. Besides that there’s the security issue, not only for the president’s children but for other children who attend the school.

I think everyone should take a back seat on where Obama’s kids go to school. A decision on that particular matter is really none of our business.