Private Vs Public Education For Your Child

Which one will you choose?

Private vs. Public School Education for your Child

The issue of whether private education is better than public has been debated for many years. Strong advocates of public education feel that children grow and progress better in a mixed environment. Although most private educational institutions do not harbor racial discrimination or discrimination against sexes, they do not have certain classifications that may not suit the masses. For example, a large number of private schools are religious based. Additionally, private school education is not paid for by the state, thus children who attend these facilities generally come from a financially stable background. The danger in this environment is that student t socialize and establish bonds with individuals who are just like them, which in some situations, may result in a false reality of how other children live their lives.

The truth is that there are advantages and disadvantages to both private education and public education. The theory is that private education offers a safer environment, and will better equip a student for higher learning. Some private schools move at an accelerated speed. Because of the smaller classrooms, the curriculum covers more than a typical public school. Public schools generally have classrooms of 25 or more students that learn at different speeds. Teacher may spend a great deal of time helping certain students grasp concepts that took other students minutes to retain. The curriculum that public schools follow is intended to meet the needs of the majority of students. Sadly, many parents also have a twisted idea of public schools. Understandably, parents want to provide the best education for their child in the safest environment. School violence has increased in the past two decades. Everyday, students across America are terrorized in one way or another. Some are victims of bullying, whereas others undergo constant sexual harassment. Parents wanting to shield their children from harm may swiftly move them into private schools reasoning that their learning experience would be better. Unfortunately, many parents have been mistaken. Various information provided about education are quick to mention that private schools have fewer crime incidents than public schools, and that drugs are more difficult to obtain in private facilities. However, non-partial sources reveal that crimes involving private schools have risen in the last decade. Granted, the percentage of crimes that take place among children privately educated is less. Still, the noticeable increase makes many consider whether private school will remain a safer choice.

There are obvious advantages to private education. As mentioned, private schools offer smaller classrooms, thus student s are given more individualized attention. On average, teachers employed in public schools are forced to teach classes of 30 students, which do not allow them to focus a lot of attention on a student having difficulty. Of course, there is always the option of after school tutoring. However, teachers also have families and lives outside the classroom, which prevents them from remaining at the school for long periods at the conclusion of the day. In addition, teachers in some parts of the country earn a low salary. Understandably, they are less inclined to arrange for tutoring after hours. Many public school teachers are dissatisfied with their working conditions which may put private school students at an advantage.

An advantage of public schools is that all teachers hold at least a bachelors degree and have a state issued teacher certification. Private schools are not regulated by the state, thus teachers may be hired without all their credentials. Moreover, principals of private schools are not required to hold an advanced degree. Another advantage of public school is that they increase the chances of a bright student being accepted into the top college of their choice. In private schools, all students are required to maintain a certain grade point average. Thus, the competition is fierce. In public schools, a highly intelligent youth may graduate first or second in his or her class, whereas if they attended private school their graduation rank may be fifth or sixth. Sadly, some graduating seniors from private schools feel that a public school education would have presented more college options.

Many parents feel their children are not being challenged enough in public schools. Some of these children are doing well but clearly could do more, could be stretched intellectually. From their parents' point of view, they spend far too much time watching television, wandering around the mall, or playing games on their computers. Many parents are consequently drawn to private schools because of the academic rigor that comes with smaller classes, more personal attention, and teachers who nurture and promote each child's talents. There is no question that private schools offer smaller classes than most public schools in the country. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 1998-99 the median student-teacher ratio in NAIS schools was 9 to 1 while that in public schools was 17 to 1. Smaller classes make it difficult for a student to hide or slide. In a room with only 14 other students, it is difficult to remain uninvolved or consistently unprepared. Teachers can get to know 15 students much better and faster than 30. Smaller classes promote more faculty member-student interaction, and most kids benefit from and respond to teachers who know and care about them.

Parents looking for smaller classes are also drawn to the adviser systems that characterize most private schools. Although the specifics vary from school to school, most private schools find many ways to promote close student- teacher relationships. These connections are possible because, in addition to smaller classes, each teacher only advises, or acts as a counselor, to a small number of students. Most teachers also coach or direct extracurricular activities that allow them other opportunities outside of class to interact with their students.

Another big draw of private schools is their emphasis on the arts. Families who have seen significant cutbacks in their public schools are eager to find schools that will provide extensive opportunities in this area. Most private schools require at least one taste of the arts, while larger schools often offer