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Parents, professional educators, and members of the media are constantly debating the issue of school choice, and questioning the quality of public schools. You sometimes hear the arguments that private schools and charter schools are superior, or that home schooling is the ideal way to educate children. Many people are confused about the nature of charter schools, which are run independently (sometimes by for-profit corporations, though not always) but receive public funding. Despite the problems with public education, there are several reasons why it needs to be available, and why its quality is important to maintain.
If you speak to five different parents and five different teachers about this issue, you will get ten different opinions. This often goes according to where they work and where they send their kids. For instance, teachers who work in state-run schools are often opposed to charter schools, and vice-versa.
School quality is not a black and white issue. It varies from school to school, and this is not always dependent on whether the school is private, public, or charter. There are obviously some very good private schools, and very good charter schools as well.
There are a few fundamental reasons, however, why it is important to make quality education available and accessible to all children, regardless of economic status or place of residence. Historically, state-run schools have been the ones to do this. Here are some of the reasons why it is important to maintain quality state-run schools.
1. There should always be free options for schooling. One of the reasons why private schools can offer smaller class sizes and more up to date technology is that they charge tuition and often receive sizable private donations. This is great for the families that can afford to pay tuition, but what about those that cannot pay it, and do not have the connections to get their children admitted to private school? Charter schools are a free alternative, but they are not always conveniently located.
2. Convenience of location. Even if a child that cannot afford private school is admitted to a charter school, the family may not be able to drop the child off and pick her up. One of the benefits of state-run schools is that (historically) an effort was made to place them in each neighborhood, so all children could take a short bus ride to school, or even walk.
3. Socialization. State-run schools ensure that children are able to interact with other children in their area, and learn what it means to be part of a community. Private schools can provide a sense of community, too, but it often centers around a particular agenda, often a religious one. At their best, public schools provide an environment where children can interact with others from diverse backgrounds and can learn to respect that diversity.
Obviously, the ideal educational environment varies from child to child. For some, a particular private school or a particular charter school may be the best option. However, that does not change the fact that all children should have access to a positive, high-quality educational experience. Even though there are problems with public education, it was designed to provide such an experience. We have a responsibility to make sure that it continues to do so.
If you speak to five different parents and five different teachers about this issue, you will get ten different opinions. This often goes according to where they work and where they send their kids. For instance, teachers who work in state-run schools are often opposed to charter schools, and vice-versa.
School quality is not a black and white issue. It varies from school to school, and this is not always dependent on whether the school is private, public, or charter. There are obviously some very good private schools, and very good charter schools as well.
There are a few fundamental reasons, however, why it is important to make quality education available and accessible to all children, regardless of economic status or place of residence. Historically, state-run schools have been the ones to do this. Here are some of the reasons why it is important to maintain quality state-run schools.
1. There should always be free options for schooling. One of the reasons why private schools can offer smaller class sizes and more up to date technology is that they charge tuition and often receive sizable private donations. This is great for the families that can afford to pay tuition, but what about those that cannot pay it, and do not have the connections to get their children admitted to private school? Charter schools are a free alternative, but they are not always conveniently located.
2. Convenience of location. Even if a child that cannot afford private school is admitted to a charter school, the family may not be able to drop the child off and pick her up. One of the benefits of state-run schools is that (historically) an effort was made to place them in each neighborhood, so all children could take a short bus ride to school, or even walk.
3. Socialization. State-run schools ensure that children are able to interact with other children in their area, and learn what it means to be part of a community. Private schools can provide a sense of community, too, but it often centers around a particular agenda, often a religious one. At their best, public schools provide an environment where children can interact with others from diverse backgrounds and can learn to respect that diversity.
Obviously, the ideal educational environment varies from child to child. For some, a particular private school or a particular charter school may be the best option. However, that does not change the fact that all children should have access to a positive, high-quality educational experience. Even though there are problems with public education, it was designed to provide such an experience. We have a responsibility to make sure that it continues to do so.
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