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Public Schools
What Is the Purpose of a Public School?
To understand the purpose of public schools, here’s the history of public education in the U.S. “at a glance.” Boston Latin School (Boston, Massachusetts) became the first public school established in the U.S.A., according to National Geographic(2).
The U.S. Founding Fathers realized that creating a public school system was necessary to help prepare people for democratic citizenship(3).
It was a Massachusetts legislator named Horace Mann who started advocating a public school system of “common schools,”(4) which would teach school subjects:
- The “Three R’s” (reading, writing, arithmetic)
- Grammar
- History
- Rhetoric
Then U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson implemented the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1965. The legislation increased the role of the federal government in K-12 education.
Public schools primarily aim to:(5)
- Guarantee universal access to free education
- Offer equal opportunities to all children
- Unify a diverse population
- Prepare citizens for a democratic society
- Improve social conditions
Today, public schools have many of the same missions as they did in the 1630s. They also have various similarities, differences, and advantages compared to private schools.
Although the objectives cover public schools, some also apply to private schools.
Public education can also help achieve universal objectives, such as:
- Developing critical thinking skills
- Instilling curiosity about the world
- Exposing children to new ways of thinking
A quality elementary and secondary education can also encourage high school students to continue to higher education and pursue lifetime learning.
Hence, improving public education’s quality and promoting school improvement are arguably as important as maintaining public education.
Some schools aren’t adequately teaching pupils the knowledge and skills required in the workforce or civic life.
How Do Public Schools Differ From Private Schools?
In 1997, the National Center for Education Statistics explained several differences between public and private schools(6).
Source of Support
Public schools depend primarily on local, state, and federal government funds.
Meanwhile, tuition payments typically support private schools. Grants, endowments, and charitable donations may also fund them.
Teachers’ Roles
General differences between public and private school teachers include:
- Private schools generally employ fewer minority teachers and principals.
- Public school teachers receive higher salaries and additional benefits, on average.
- Private school teachers have higher rates of non-replaced resignations and retirements, yet also higher job satisfaction than public school teachers.
- Public schools usually require teachers to be certified in the state they teach, and requirements are determined by each state. Meanwhile, private schools are subjective in their requirements and often accept certifications from different states.
School Choice
People have traditionally associated the concept of school choice with private schools.
However, some people advocate providing some choices in public schools or alternatives like charter schools. Public funds support charter schools, but independent groups fund them.
The general goals of school choice include encouraging learners to improve their performance.
Public schools also aim to meet the needs and concerns of students and parents. Methods may include family engagement and parent portals.
Students attend private schools by choice. Parents’ options include religious and non-sectarian private schools. The latter schools aren’t related to a particular religious or political group.
However, sometimes parents of kids in public schools can influence which schools their children attend. Another indirect way parents can select their child’s public school is to choose where they live.
Other Differences
Public and private schools also differ in school size and class size, academic programs, decision-making in the school and classroom, school climate, and support services.
The board of education oversees these programs and makes decisions with the board members during school board meetings. Committee meetings often include specific times to discuss public comments. Some of these discussions come in the form of virtual meetings.
Regardless of the differences between public and private education, potential benefits for students may improve students:
- Personal enrichment
- Mental health
- Wellness
- Report cards
On the other hand, some public schools have enacted reform proposals that have examined the private sectors as models for:
- Small schools
- School choice
- Decentralized decision-making
Are Public Schools Better Than Private Schools?
People sometimes automatically conclude that private schools are superior. However, public schools can provide K-12 students with several potential benefits, including:
Availability:
Public schools provide educational access for every child. By law, no school in public education systems can reject students based on income level, academic performance, or disability.
Diversity:
Public schools practice non-discrimination by admitting all kids in an area, increasing community engagement through means like partnerships. Hence, public schools are more likely to have more diversity than private schools.
Schools celebrate diversity through a full calendar of events during the school year, including Women’s History Month and Black History Month.
Class size:
Public schools are sometimes smaller during early childhood education, such as up to third grade. Class size is often determined by school funding.
Academic opportunities:
Public schools often have courses in specialized subjects like the arts and career and technical education.
Extracurricular opportunities:
Public schools may also offer after-school activities, including athletics, theater, and music.
Services:
By law, public schools must provide particular benefits to students, including school buses, reduced-price lunch menus, and academic assistance. They may also be provided school website accessibility complete with information on current events, such as a COVID-19 dashboard.
Teacher qualifications:
States require teacher certifications for public schools. Requirements vary with each state.
Accountability:
States hold public schools accountable for their academic performance.
Financial Assistance:
Public schools include programs like the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund.
Should You Consider a Public School Directory?
When searching for schools in a particular state and city or town, consider comparing different metrics and information related to a public school’s performance and overall quality, including:
- Rankings
- Test scores
- Graduate rates
- Student or teacher ratios
- Ethnic makeup
- School and school district boundaries
Such information can make it easier to find the ideal elementary school, middle school, or high school for your son or daughter. You can also look for kindergartens and preschools (pre-K).
Student mobility can have various effects on learning, according to Education Week(7). So it’s crucial to select the best public school to maximize your child’s educational opportunities.
Convenience
An online public school directory can make finding a public school in a particular state and city or town easier.
You can check out social media platforms, like Twitter, for tweets or retweeted posts to see parents’ and students’ comments about some schools before students go back to school.
Accuracy
Online resources like public school directories are updated frequently. Hence, you can be confident the information about particular schools is accurate.
Let’s say your child is due for enrollment next fall. You should devise a strategic plan even during long breaks, such as winter or spring break. Make sure you know how the school stacks up compared to other schools.