Separation of Sexes in Schools
CHETRY: On a special CNN series, we're taking a look at "Broken Schools" across the country and ways that the system could be fixed. This morning CNN's Kara Finnstrom looks how a tough economy has hurt private schools in California.</s>KARA FINNSTROM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Ennis family never thought they would do this.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's 6.</s>FINNSTROM: Pull all three kids out of private schools and go public.</s>TAMMY ENNIS, PARENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT: I have a lot of anxiety built up and I just want to make sure they're OK.</s>FINNSTROM: But when the economy began to tank, it hit the Ennis family. One cost that especially hurt, rocketing tuition.</s>ENNIS: From $8,000 to $12,000 in today's economy.</s>FINNSTROM: That's per child.</s>ENNIS: That's just too hard.</s>FINNSTROM: The Ennis' are part of a growing trend of middle income families transferring their kids into Pasadena Public Schools. It reverses a trend that began in the '70s when a judge ordered public schools here to desegregate through bussing. That led many middle and upper income families to get out.</s>MARYBETH NOBS, PARENT OF PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT: Feedback was very negative about the schools from drugs and bullying.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The importance of taking a look -</s>FINNSTROM: But public school test scores in Pasadena and across California have risen in recent years. And a grassroots public education group is showcasing that improvement to attract some parents back to the public school system.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't do it by doing spin but we do it by making it easy for parents to have good experiences with the schools, get on campus. They tell their friends. We are really seeing a ground swell of parents coming to our schools and I think it's exciting.</s>FINNSTROM: Tammy Ennis, a teacher herself who has worked at private and public schools, looked at public school statistics and visited campuses.</s>ENNIS: I was very pleased and surprised.</s>FINNSTROM: Educational leaders say the influx of middle income kids benefits everyone, including teachers.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We know from 40 years of research that all students do better when there is a core of middle class families in a school. And all students do worse when there are high concentrations of poverty.</s>FINNSTROM: The Ennises simply hope their kids won't lose out in the process.</s>ENNIS: It's a child. You know, you have to know that your child is getting the best education that he can.</s>FINNSTROM (on-camera): Now, many Pasadena families say even with that increase in test scores, they still believe public schools here have a long way to go. But the interest statewide does appear to be growing. We checked with half a dozen major school districts across the state and all are reporting at least a slight increase in transfers from private schools. Kara Finnstrom for CNN, Pasadena, California.</s>ROBERTS: CNN NEWSROOM just minutes away now. In fact about ten minutes away. Heidi Collins at the CNN Center with a look at what lies ahead. Good morning, Heidi.</s>HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, John. That's right. Here's what we're working on at the CNN NEWSROOM. "Issue number one," the economy. Wall Street wants a $700 billion bank rescue plan and fast, too. Will Congress delay the package, though, and possibly make it costlier? And new details behind the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan. Who escaped the blast because of a change in plan? And the hunt for gas. Post hurricane supplies dry up in the south. I can attest to that personally. We get started at the top of the hour right here on CNN. John.</s>ROBERTS: Heidi, we will see you then. Thanks very much. So what do you think of the $700 billion bailout? As the government steps in, we ask you, the taxpayer, to speak out. Outspoken Americans sound off this morning. Wait until you hear what they had to say. You're watching the "Most News in the Morning."