Education: Pittsburgh schools trying to get away from race-based admissions - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh

Education: Pittsburgh schools trying to get away from race-based admissions - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh In any case, the magnet program seems to be in limbo for now.

The magnet program is in limbo, so says the newspaper (Pgh City Paper).

Well, well, well.

Without the magnet program, Pittsburgh would be a ghost town. The magnet program has been the saving star that has kept the PPS afloat.

It seems as if some administrators are hell-bent on trying to destroy the school district, and in turn, the city.

I agree with the statement in the newspaper. The magnet program is in limbo. Limbo is not a good place. Limbo is not what parents want to hear. Families don't choose to opt into limbo.

Limbo = FUD = Fear, uncertainty, doubt.

With limbo comes an acceleration of the exodus.

The magnet program has been a crown jewel of the school district for many reason. The diversity factor is one element. But there is more to the magnet than just a lottery for an entrance into a school.

The magnet program means choice. And, it seems that a lottery is less about choice and more about chance. The choice is not up to the luck of the draw. Rather, the choice needs to be put onto the realm of the family.

The lack of solutions and understanding as to what works and what is folly is frustrating.

Some sort of modified lottery is nothing but a way for lawyers and bureaucrats to CYA. (CYA = Cover Your Ass) To run a school district based upon some sort of modified lottery is a bad bet and formula for failure.

Some say the the lottery, be it PowerBall or other flavors of state-sanctioned numbers running, is a "stupid tax." The odds of winning are not favorable. Those who spend money to buy Lotto tickets are the least capable of covering the expenses.

Our school district needs to be smart with our kids and not aspire to "stupid tax" solutions.