Writing about school ratings would have been easier before I was a parent. 

It was absolutely ridiculous to me that a mother would pay for tutoring for so her five-year-old son could get into a the “best” private school (see part 1). 

It made me angry that schools (really the teachers and children) where a worked were judged so harshly based on one test (see part 2).

Then I became a mom…and what I understood after over 10 years working in education and the desires I had for my child came in conflict.

Yes, I knew that test scores were more reflective of the socio-economic status of the community and education level of parents.  Yes, I knew that high standardized test scores of children did not equal better schools or better teaching.  Yes, I knew that some best teaching that I had observed had actually occurred in classrooms in low performing and diverse public schools.

But I wanted my child to succeed and I wanted to give her every advantage … and the only metric given me as a mom to pick a school were the test scores.

And I understood the tutoring.

And I understood the judgment.

And I understood the pressure not only to make the right choice but also to explain that choice to others.

…To be continued