Essay, Research Paper: Private Education Vs. Public Education

Public Education v/s Private Education

A person’s education is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not they will become a productive member of society. That is why when considering an education the quality of the education is almost as important as the education itself. So when private schools came into the picture the debate then began between public and private schools. Facing the technological revolution that we are going through without a good quality education a person will be left behind.
Even though public and private schools are separate institutions they have to follow certain guidelines so there are a lot of similarities between the two. Such as, both school systems have the intentions of giving their students the best education within their means. Both have educated professionals that have decided to devote the rest of their careers to furthering the education of our youth. They each have set up rules hoping to keep it a positive learning environment. They both use standardized testing as a tool to evaluate the progress of their students. They can also access the weaknesses from these tests to improve the curriculum that they have composed.
They also have clubs like volunteer groups that help out people in their surrounding community. There are also student governments where students elect students to improve upon the learning environment in which they are. Schools also have extra curricular activities like sports where students compete against other schools where they learn school spirit and how to work as a team. With all of these activities students can hopefully find something that they enjoy spending their free time. This also hopefully keeps children out of trouble.
Private schools have a lot to offer. The most important thing they bring to the table is the high standards that they set. With the majority of the students wanting to achieve at such high levels this creates a very positive learning environment for students to excel in. With these high standards and positive learning environment students are more apt to take college prep courses as those in public schools. The test scores of private schools are higher than those of public schools are. The main reason scores are higher is because of class sizes. Children in private schools do not have congested classes. This gives the teacher the opportunity to devote more one on one time with each student. This also allows a teacher to spend less time disciplining, and more time teaching. Violence in private schools is not as bad as the violence in public schools. This is because private schools will not allow the student to stay in school if they commit an act of violence. This allows the students to focus more on their studies. Yet another difference between public and private schools are religious factors. In a private school setting there is no separation of church and state in some cases. Often times the private school will be set up according to a certain religion. In effect the curriculum practices will be based on the denomination’s beliefs. There is not so much as a school-wide prayer in a public school. Most private schools focus on preparation for college, whereas public schools cater more to preparation for vocational occupations. Public schools are definitely a lot more down to earth. They are non-discriminatory it is not as much about what your last name, is or what kind of car you drive, or the neighborhood you live in, it's about the individual. The kids do not think that they are better just because of what school they go to. Also private schools are predominately white so students don't get to experience all the different cultures that they will have to encounter in the real world. In public schools every child is provided with an education regardless of social or economic factors. Scholarships are given more often to public schools rather than private. Public schools also offer more special programs for kids with learning problems and disabilities. Children with disabilities are also able to interact with other children that have disabilities. This allows them to relate to the children and it builds self-esteem.
Public schools and private schools have many differences and similarities. However the main goal of both institutions is to provide a sound education for today’s youth. All to often the quality of a child’s education is determined by the economic status of their family. The education standards of today’s schools need to be set high. At the same time the goals set by schools need to be attainable to give students a feeling of success. Public and private schools should work together to improve the education standards in today’s society. Whether parents choose public or private education they should feel confident that their child would receive the best education possible. Schools should educate each child as if they were training the next president. Education is the key ingredient in shaping a child’s future.


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