Violence in public schools can literally kill your child. In 2000-2001 school year, students were victims of about 1.9 million nonfatal violent crimes such as rape, assault, and robbery. This figure equals about 9,000 violent incidents every school day throughout America, or about one every three seconds.

Public schools are also a drug pusher’s heaven. Thousands of teenagers, pushed by intense peer-pressure, smoke, drink beer, and try marijuana or hard drugs. Schools put hundreds of children together in one big building or courtyard. Mix in overworked or indifferent teachers who have little time or desire to supervise extracurricular activities. That’s why drug pushers circle schoolyards like vultures. Where else can they find groups of vulnerable victims all herded together for their convenience? Is it any wonder that drug and alcohol use is a major problem in public schools?

In 2001-2002 school year, 34.9 percent of tenth-grade students surveyed said they had smoked cigarettes within past year. Fifty-one and two tenths percent said they had drunk beer, and 33.4 percent said they got bombed on that beer. Also, 29.8 percent of same tenth-grade students said they had smoked marijuana within past year, and 78.7 percent of these marijuana users said they got “bombed or very high” on it.

When children are home-schooled, parents can advise and watch over their kids. At home, there is no peer pressure to try drugs, as there is in public schools. Drug pushers don’t hover around private residences.

Parents should therefore ask themselves: Do my children belong in violent, drug-infested public schools? Are there other education options for my children? In "Public Schools, Public Menace," I discuss many quality, low-cost education options parents can use right now if they decide to take their children out of public school.

Article Copyrighted © 2005 by Joel Turtel.

I remember Aunt Hazel and her shiny chrome toaster She always made me put my juice glass on a coaster Uncle Archie and Uncle Leo were remembered that day They sure loved to laugh, I miss them I do say

Thank you Bobby for giving a great gift I sat on your dock and watched a log drift Down Satilla River by old Burnt Fort On site of now long gone river port

The Archie and Ruth Winn family is spread far and wide Some were not there and missed fish that Bobby fried I have found memories of my many kith and kin From that great American family with name of Winn

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier