[BackBlast]

There is a pretty big difference between "abuse happens" and "this environment is fundamentally worse". Schools have pretty abysmal records as far as preventing abuse to children. Bullying is massive, be it student-student or teacher-student. Shunning, insults, whispered stories, hate filled slurs, popular groups vs outsider dynamics, to physical attacks. All of these are pretty common at pretty much any school you care to name. I don't think I've met a student who hasn't experienced varying levels of this. To many, it dominates their experience.

The pandemic and subsequent politics of education has put a magnifying glass on the problems there and many parents are choosing to hit the eject button. There is a concerted effort to remove that button as it's starting to seriously pinch budgets anywhere a student can leave and take their funding money with them.

Currently my state board of education is looking at a rule change to do just that. This battle is just warming up. If you get involved, don't be on the wrong side.