'Prisons rather than places to learn'

Mitch Duprez recounts some experiences as a public school teacher in south Oklahoma City and concludes, "I must honestly say, after that experience I understand why some people would not send their child there. I could not see myself sending my child to the school where I taught."

Mr. Duprez says "schools can resemble prisons rather than places to learn."

It took me a while to adjust to the metal detectors, the bag searches, the students sitting on their hands lining the hallway while the teachers walk up and down the corridors like prison guards. Then the bell rings and all Hell breaks loose. ... Another major issue in my school was the gang problem. I'm talking about 13 and 14 year old kids in gangs. ... Keeping order in the classroom took up most of my time, leaving little time for actual teaching. ...

So, be careful when deciding whether or not you would send your child to public school.

Of course, if you can't afford private school tuition you may not have much of a choice.