Should public education be the only option?

[tortoise1956]

It seems to me that the general opinion is that only the government can run an education system. I disagree with that statement, and present my personal experience as a reason for that dissent.

I was enrolled in the Carden system for 3 years (grades 3-5) in the mid-60's, and the curriculum was first-rate. When I went back into the public system in grade 6 (due to moving to a new town with no Carden school), I tested at 8th grade level in most subjects, and no worse than 7th grade in any. Furthermore, my mom taught for two years in the Carden system, and she later said that she wished she could use the same methods in California public schools.

So, I pose the question - is there no place in education for private schools? This is an honest question, and is not intended to cause hatred and discontent. I welcome any and all answers, especially those with a different opinion, as long as they can present their views in a rational and polite discourse.

[aquart]

1. It never has been.

But it has been a settled feature of American life since the Mayflower settlers began routinely educating their children.

I do appreciate viral marketing for this privatized system of education you are touting.

Me, I went to public schools until I went to graduate school in the Ivy League. My public education was better in every way in every class. I walked into those hallowed halls so well prepared one of my classmates muttered "do you know everything?" I don't. But more than he did.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Hmm just for fussiness sake

Public education does not go back to the pilgrims. It goes back to the working Man's party of new York in 1829. At least not in a form we would recognize as such. The war against it is for one simple reason... I t is the Working Man's chance to break away from a caste society.

As to the OP, there's always been a place for it. Rich sons got one education, while the children of slaves and working men at times didn't learn their letters. For slaves it was against the law. That is what privatisers want to go back to.

[madfloridian]

3. There is plenty of room for alternate education, private schools et al

Many of us think that public money should not be required to pay for it.

A private school does not have to answer for what it teaches, and parents are very free to choose one if they can pay for it.

Public education is one of the main strengths of our country, but they have been defunding and attacking it since Reagan.

[tortoise1956]

4. Ok, some additional information

I should have put in the original post:

I have problems with the federal government being in charge of all aspects of public education. As Aquart stated, education in this country has always been seen as a vital part of our culture. However, control was asserted at local levels, from hiring teachers, to requiring attendance, to curricula. Now, we have faceless bureaucrats sitting offices in Washington making decisions that directly affect educators, with little or no feedback to help correct bad choices. The end result is a system that alienates teachers, essentially rewards slackers by promoting them even if they don't learn, makes parents feel as if they have no power.

I resent the fact that public school texts are written to satisfy a small group of opinionated morons who run school boards in the largest states. History should not be held hostage to someone with an axe to grind.

The present public school system is bloated and inefficient. Why are we sending billions of dollars (estimate $71 billion for 2011) to Washington so that they can return SOME of it to us to use on children? I submit that this money could be used better at local levels.

NCLB - need I say anything at all about this big steaming pile of crap? Well-intentioned, but ultimately it will prove to be unachievable, although it will cost a butt load of money to reach that conclusion.

I still believe that local control of education is the best answer, though a well-written and broad set of national guidelines should be established. For example, all schools will provide a minimum set of classes such as math, English, history, etc. This would also allow for private school systems that meet the guidelines to establish schools. Of course, if they don't educate the kids they have, they would be kicked out and replaced by another choice.

I hope this helps to stimulate the conversation.

[FBaggins]

8. Where did you get the idea that the federal government was in charge of education?

They can use a carrot/stick approach (and it isn't much of a stick in most cases) to influence policy, but education remains locally controlled (in some cases incredibly locally).

<i>I resent the fact that public school texts are written to satisfy a small group of opinionated morons who run school boards in the largest states. </i><P>

Then run for school board in your local community and elect not to use those textbooks. There's nobody in Washington who can mandate that decision for you. They can say "if you want this extra money that we're offering you, then you must..." - but you can just say "keep your money".

<i>I still believe that local control of education is the best answer, though a well-written and broad set of national guidelines should be established. For example, all schools will provide a minimum set of classes such as math, English, history, etc.</i><P>

Your two stated priorities are laudible... but contradictory.

[lib_wit_it]

5. Private schools can suck, too. Most of the kids who transfered from the local private Christian

school into the public school where I taught were 2 grade levels below our students.

[Reader Rabbit]

6. Nor do most private schools screen for learning disabilities.

A kid from a private school transferred into my public junior high, and after about a week, his English teacher had to call up his mom and tell her that her son couldn't read. He'd had a learning disability that was never diagnosed and had faked it since Kindergarten. He had to try to learn to read (again?) in eighth grade.

[lib_wit_it]

9. Sad, but, far too common. Especially in the private schools whose raison d'être is to push a

particular anti-intellectual agenda. Most of the "Christian" schools I know are in this category. So what if he can't read--someone else will be happy to read the Bible to him! And for current events and political knowledge, he can just watch Fox Noose.

[FBaggins]

7. Of course not.

... and there's room for far more than just private school alternatives. Parochial schools, home-based schools, personal tutors, etc. all have their place.

The key though is that the true role of the public education system is to provide opportunity to those who might otherwise lack it. Those who cannot afford one of the other options. To fulfill that role, the public system must be vibrant and adequately funded. It need not be (indeed must not be) the only option, but it must be an option everywhere and for everyone.