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No, this is not a posting about who goes to kindergarten and who does not (which, by the way, did you know that in many states kindergarten is NOT required?).

Rather, this is about my attempts to visit potential, public school kindergartens for my 4-year-old Annie who will be starting school in the fall.

Who knew how hard it is for Joe Schmoe parent to just call up a school and ask to visit a classroom?

I'll admit that this is something new for me. Generally, as an education researcher, access to schools goes through the superintendent's office or through the principal or a friend of a friend. But I have never been denied access to a school. You generally say that you are a researcher examining such and such and they eventually let you in because they don't want to hear any more about your boring research topic.

But -- I have found -- most people have a better chance of making it through customs at Heathrow than they do sitting in on a local public school kindergarten class.

Now, before you jump down my throat, I KNOW school safety is a concern. Columbine, the Amish school, yadda yadda. I GET IT. But I am not wearing a trenchcoat and carrying ammo. I am Joe Schmoe parent. Or Josephine, if you prefer.

First, the gatekeeping begins over the phone.

I am sorry -- the stern voice from the front office says -- we do not allow members of the public to just VISIT the school. You may attend a scheduled tour with other parents, but you may not just sit in on a class. We do not allow that.

Now I've worked in schools or universities for 20 years, I know that they save the slam dunk lesson plan for the day of the parent tour. These events are usually dog and pony shows led by rah-rah PTA moms or former students who were ASB President.

I want to see your TYPICAL day. Not the staged, parent tour day.

At one school -- whose secretary had told me to come around at 3:00 and I may have a chance to SEE the kindergartners as they leave the classroom at the end of the day and MAYBE talk to some teachers -- the gatekeeping continues once I arrive in the front office.

I do not know WHO would have told you that -- stern front office manager-lady tells me -- WE DO NOT JUST ALLOW THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN TO VIEW THE CLASSROOMS.

I smile sweetly. But I am not the public, my family and I are buying a house in the neighborhood, and I just wanted to take a look at the school.

Finally, she relents. I get a Visitors Badge affixed to my shoulder, and off I stroll to the kindergarten play area.

WHEW! Glad I did not have to play the Professor of Education Card that time.

If a simple visit is this hard for ME -- one who knows pretty well how schools work. How intimidating must it be for parents who do not?

Public schools might learn some manners from the private schools I visited. They are generally very happy to let you in.

And MORE than happy to give you a brochure with their tuition fees printed on it.