The Politics of the Absurd Everyone knows that the vast majority of private schools in New York State easily matches the performance of the best public schools.
Private schools exist because their constituencies believe they do a better job for their children.
The absurdity of the present impasse between the regulations and the private schools defies logic, but at the same time, sadly, also defines politics. Virtually all educational research of the last quarter century has led to one conclusion, that every person is to some degree a unique learner. Much of the improvement in teaching and learning in recent years may be attributed to that understanding. Huge strides in special education have been taken, while mainstream students have benefited from flexible programs and different teaching styles. While the recognition of uniqueness has also provided unrealistic expectations at times, on the whole its effect has been enormously positive.