Seattle Schools Losing Students

 From the Broadview Thomson lawsuit, we know that the claim is that at least 100 students have left that school.

At last night's Board meeting, it was reported that the district is down 3700 students this school year. That is a HUGE amount. And, given that SPS never seems to ask parents who leave why they left, we may never know.

And the money goes with those students so it's no small thing for Seattle Public Schools.

We know for Broadview Thomson K-8 that their loss is likely parents who felt their child was in an unsafe environment. What else?

COVID?

Loss of faith because of the constant churn in the district?

The slow death of HCC?

Then there was this story from NPR on Black parents making different choices for their student's education.

It's a common perception that white, evangelical families are the most likely to homeschool their children. But a growing number of Black families have started teaching their kids at home — especially during the pandemic. The Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey found that in April 2020, 3% of Black households homeschooled their children, and by October 2020 it was up to 16%. 

In Black households, homeschooling can be its own unique form of activism and resistance.
"This idea of white supremacy and the inferiority of Black people lingers today," Fields-Smith said. "We are overcoming racism through homeschooling. I don't think white people can say that." 

The mother of two said she'd always coached her kids at home to keep them on track. But three things made her decide to officially start homeschooling. First, she wanted her children to be safe from bullies. She also wanted them to understand their cultural history. The third factor was freedom. 

Some families are also creating community through homeschooling. 

Her 10-year-old son, Alexander, agrees. "It just feels great to be around kids like me so you don't always have to be alone, like the odd person out," he said.