I’m sure that, if you are reading this post, you are aware that our democracy is under attack in a variety of ways. The immediate threats from attempts to overturn election results to voter suppression and gerrymandering have drawn the greatest attention. But over the long run, I think the most insidious threat is the attack on our system of public education.
While some much-needed attention has been directed at blatant efforts to whitewash history, the fundamental threat to public education can be seen in the continuing movement to defund public schools and to proving taxpayer funds to charter and private schools. My adopted state of North Carolina is leading the way.
To counter this, organizations like Public Schools First, NC, are working to change the narrative to focus on why public schools are, far and above, the best option for the education of our children and for the future of our country. Below are ten points to use when discussing public education.
But, before I go, I’d like to point out that public education in the US was central to the growth and development of our country. In the period between the Civil War and WWI, millions of immigrants came to the US, for freedom, jobs and free public education for their children. They are still coming and represent an important asset to our country. Let’s keep public education free and excellent.
From Public Schools First, NC
1) Public schools attract the best teachers. Because they have more stringent educational and licensure requirements and generally earn higher salaries than their private or charter school counterparts, public school educators are more qualified, experienced, and higher performing.
2) Public schools have a greater sense of community. Most public schools have been around a long time and are the heart of their communities. They are often the hub of community events, the place where folks vote, and often they serve as the top employer in the community.
3) Public schools increase educational choice. Public schools offer a much wider array of schools, classes and curriculum than private or charter schools. Districts often have magnet or theme schools such as technology, AIG, or language immersion. Within public schools students can choose from a much larger variety of options than in private or charter schools.
4) Public schools have greater diversity. Public schools are open and welcoming to all students, making them much more diverse that private or charter schools. Learning and growing among diverse peers better prepares students for success in our increasingly diverse communities.
5) Public schools are more fiscally responsible. The financial records of public schools are open to public scrutiny and laws require that expenses must relate to educating children. Private and charter schools are not bound by the same requirements, so financial records are less transparent and funds can be spent to enrich for-profit operators instead of educating students.
6) Public schools are more reliable. Charter and private schools are less stable than public schools, and can close without notice, even in the middle of the school year, leaving families to scramble for other educational options. When a public school closes, there is ample notice to the community and provisions are made to move affected students to new schools.
7) Public schools have greater commitment to students. Public schools accept ALL students. They don't select students by limiting services (e.g. transportation) or through explicit exclusionary admissions policies.
8) Citizens have ownership of public schools. Public schools are led by elected school boards voted into office by members of the whole community. In contrast many charter and private schools do not have elected boards. Some are led by appointed boards whose members live far from the school community.
9) Public schools provide more amenities. Special education and gifted services are often minimal or nonexistent at private or charter schools, and schools provide supplies when parents can't afford to provide them.
10) Public schools match or outperform privatized schools. The myth that private schools are better at educating students has been debunked by numerous studies and documented in The Public School Advantage: Why Public Schools Outperform Private Schools. Studies of voucher program effects show dramatic declines for students who use vouchers to attend private school.