A blogger for the website of the progressive journal Mother Jones recently wrote a piece practically begging the Obama family to consider sending their children to public school. The blogger, writing a hypothetical letter to the President Elect- does make good points. After all, having the daughters of the POTUS enrolled in public school would send a positive message both to students and to those worried about the states of American school systems. Their presence would probably lead to increased funding for the schools, and would give the girls a better idea of the lives of the average American. In fact, the daughter of President Jimmy Carter attended a D.C. public school.
(You can read the full article here http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/11/10747_public_school...)
However, there are a few problems with the arguments as laid out. The most obvious is that the world is a different place than it was when Carter was president. In fact, Stevens Elementary School , the school which little Amy Carter once attended, no longer exists. This is far from the only change to take place in the world since those days. School violence is on the rise. The threat of terrorism is a constant specter. Senator Obama was the earliest presidential candidate to ever receive secret service protection, due to threats made against him. Any parent would wish to protect their child. This would probably be more easily accomplished at a private school.
Others site the other children as a reason for the Obama girls to stick to private school. They worry that the spectacle caused by secret service and media attention would cause a distraction. The Obama family says it has yet to make a decision as to where the girls will attend, but it will most likely be a private school.
