There has long been an argument in this country over what type of schools are better, public or private. It is an issue that is discussed in the media, by politicians and in families. The issue may not be as cut and dry as it may seem. There are several factors that must be discussed when looking into the issue including academics, class size, teacher credentials, condition of the schools and the school budget.
Public schools have long been the cornerstone of American society. A free public education available to all children is a very democratic principle. There are several reasons why children benefit from public schools. Teachers in the public schools are generally more qualified; most have a master’s degree and they are usually paid higher salaries. Students in public school spend more time studying the core curriculum including English, math, social studies and science. Public schools help foster relationships between the community, students and their families. Public schools can also offer extra curricular clubs and sports and can also offer more services to students with learning disabilities.
Unfortunately, there are some draw backs to public schools. Class sizes are generally larger in public schools and there may not be the resources to buy supplies and textbooks. Probably the biggest drawback to public schools is that not all public schools are created equal. Since most funding comes from the local community a school in a wealthy suburb will have more resources and offer their students more benefits then a school that is located in an inner city. In order to change this inequality we need to find alternative solutions to funding our public schools.
On the other hand, private schools have a great deal to offer such as smaller class sizes, student to teacher ratio than public schools. This is simply because there are fewer students in these schools; also, private school teachers can be more dedicated especially when working with parents who are equally if not more dedicated to their children. For most parents, this is a huge factor. Though it is a well known fact that most students attend public schools; most families are choosing the smaller private schools because public schools are becoming more crowded. Also, most parents today are searching for that one attention for their child from teachers. Private schools generally have lower incidences of drugs, violence and drop outs, mostly likely due to the increased level of dedication of parents who send their children to private schools.
Though private schools can be costly, they have more money in school systems which are garnered by student tuitions. However, despite the cost, they tend to perform higher than public school students on National Assessments of Educational Progress. Their students score higher on 4th grade reading, 8th and 12th grade math and sciences proficiency tests. Private schools have the ability to be flexible in creating specialized programs, curriculum and assessment systems for students, though the preference is standardized testing. They offer more accelerated college focused courses and are more intent on honing their students to college. However, public school system shares a difference in this philosophy. Many parents are drawn to the alternative curriculum that private schools offer.
As well as public schools do, there are some disadvantages or draw backs to private schools. Though private school teachers earn considerably more than public school teachers, they are not required to have certification. They often have subject area expertise and degrees in the subject they teach. Another aspect is that teachers can be abruptly terminated and the school is free to deal with personnel matters. Private schools are not obligated to provide facilitate special needs students; most of there schools do not have special education programs or teachers. However, there are some private schools that cater especially to special needs. Admissions to private schools are rather competitive and are not obligated by law regarding admission or to keep students enrolled. In public schools, all students are admitted. Once a student misbehaves, they can be expelled.
Although there are good and bad points to both public and private schools, ultimately it is up to the parents to make the decision that they feel is best for their child. They must take in account their child’s emotional and educational needs and then decide which school is the best environment for them. The best thing to do when making this decision is to consider the factors and weigh which ones are important. Parents will need to arm themselves with vital information regarding the public or private schools of which you are considering for your child. Whether public or private schools are better is a debate that will continue for some time.
Resources
Boland, M. (2009). Public vs. private: Which is right for your child? Retrieved April 2, 2009, from Baby Center Website: http://www.babycenter.com/0_public-vs-private-which-is-right-for-your-child_67271.bc?pri…
Kennedy, R. (2009). Private vs. public school, Retrieved April 2, 2009, from About.com Web site: http://privateschool.about.com/cs/employment/a/teachingcond.htm?p=1
Public Schools vs. Private Schools: Public School Review, Retrieved April 6, 2009, from Web site: http://www.publicschoolreview.com?articles/5
The advantages of private school vs. public schools, Retrieved April 6, 2009, from
Website: http://www.essortment.com/all/advantagespriva_rsvp.htm
31 responses so far ↓
pbssteno // April 13, 2009 at 11:03 am |
As parents of three school-aged children, my husband and I made the decision to have our children attend public school. The reasons for this are several: First and most obvious, is cost. We pay our school taxes, so why not take advantage of the school we pay for? College for three kids is expensive, so we will need our resources to pay for that. The schools in our district are more than adequate for our kids. The second major reason to use the public schools is the diverse population it serves. Most private schools target a particular religious group. I think it benefits children to be exposed to people who share your religious beliefs as well as those who do not. Ultimately, it should be left to the individual to decide what type of school will benefit your child.
christineblake // April 13, 2009 at 6:00 pm |
As a private school teacher I believe it is a great opportunity for children. For teachers it is a better environment to work. Teachers have reasourse whenever they need. We are also more free to do what we like. For teachers the pay is the major factor. Teachers have a signicant pay difference. Often times private school teachers apply for publics schools do to finances. For students I believe they do very well in private schools. In the end they factor is money for partents sending their children to private schools.
analieseagliato // April 13, 2009 at 7:43 pm |
As a former student in both public and private schools I have to say that I personally think public school is great up until high school. I went to private school for only two years but have to say it was the best experience of my life. i cannot imagine what I would have done or where I would be if I finished my schooling at ublic school just becasue it wasnt for me. I wasnt doing well and needed more of a one on one situation or at least more individual attention. On the other hand I went to public school for all that time before and it seemed to meet my needs. If I were a parent though and answering this question I would have to say that I would like to send my kids to public school and hopefully be afford to send my kids if they want to go to public school for high school. Private school just gave me more of a responsibility for both myself and others. in the two short years I was there I matured a ton and was much more self sufficient. All in all I do believe the public school system is good but for some students a private setting may be better.
mtg103 // April 14, 2009 at 7:43 pm |
As a student who attended both public school and private school, I feel that I gained a better knowledge at the private school. The teacher’s seemed to care more about the students. They were always there to help you. In the public school I felt the teachers just came into the class put the work on the board and that was it. We had to go home and figure it out on our own. Another benefit I had in the private school was the class size we had fifteen students in the class. In public I had thirty two students, that’s a big difference. I believe that I would probably send my child to a private school just based on my experience I feel I received a better education when I attended private school.
artsy313 // April 14, 2009 at 9:10 pm |
This is a topic I think about a lot. If I had children, I am not sure whether I would send them to public or private school. As someone who attended private school from k-12 and really enjoyed/got a lot out of it, there are a lot of things I liked about it, but also things I was not totally happy with. I think there are a few factors that play a part in the decision. Nowadays, money is a huge factor. If you can’t afford to spend that kind of money, which many people cannot in this economic status, then you really have no choice. I think it depends on a few other things as well. The town you live in and the quality of the public school could be a deciding factor for some, as some are complete opposites of others. The child themselves is important to think about. Some children will do fine in a public school, even if it is not in a great town. Others need that smaller student to teacher ratio and more strict discipline. Therefore, I think there is no way to determine what school best serves ALL children’s educational needs. Both have very positive qualities. Sinde every child is different, it really has to be determined for each individual child.
lmac9903 // April 15, 2009 at 2:42 am |
One thing I learned after having children is that there is no one size fits all school. A childs personality, interests, needs and gifts need to be considered before choosing the right school. What is a good fit for one child will not be for another. That being said, I believe a child can learn in any school setting if he is supported at home and is raised to want to learn. I have spent much time visiting and interviewing schools for my children. My older daughter went to a public school before moving to the island where she now attends private school. There are clearly advantages and disadvantages to both. For my older daughter, I believe the public school, which was a specialized school for gifted students was far superior in meeting my daughters needs. For my younger daughter, she is thriving in private school. The small environment has done wonders for her shy personality. The one advantage to the private school is that I can have more input into my childrens education-there is more communication and collaboration between parent and school.
ald88 // April 16, 2009 at 12:28 am |
I think it should be a case by case decision as to whether a child attends public school or private school. In the time that I attended private school I was able to do well, however students with learning disabilities such as ADD may do better in public schools because they have more resources for students with disabilities. Looking back on my experience I feel private school was good for the child that did not need those extra resources (because they weren’t adequately provided). In a private high school I felt the education was more advanced than the public school and there was more of a learning environment. While in public school I felt it to be more of a place to hang out. I suppose it is also that the child will get out of school whatever they want to get out of it. As previously said though, I think it depends on the child and how they learn best.
saz144 // April 17, 2009 at 3:44 pm |
I think this article makes many good points regarding public and private schools. There are good aspects and bad aspects about both. Like the article states, public schools do require qualified teachers which could be important when it comes to the education of the students. Public schools do offer more activities during and after school hours which is a benefit to students. I also agree with this article, public schools offer better services for students with disabilities. However, public schools do tend to have more students in each class making it a bit harder for the teacher to accommodate all the students needs at once.
As for private schools, I have taught in a private school and have the chance to compare it to the public school system. Many of the teachers teaching there were not certified and didn’t have any experience in a classroom before. It was just obvious that the directors of the school hired anyone who would work for them for the pay they were offering. It wasn’t about what’s best for the students.
As for special activities, the students who attended this private school did not have music class, art class, computer class, or any library in the entire school to visit. Gym class was not of any challenge to them. They were given a ball to bounce around the entire class.
However, the class sizes were smaller and had a better student/teacher ratio. I was able to attend all my students needs. Since the whole school contained about 115 students total, the children that attended all knew each other and were close, almost like family. Therefore better relations between students means less violence.
I also agree with this article, I think it is up to the parents of the student to determine which school is better for the child. Which school will best meet their child’s needs?
brittsalina // April 21, 2009 at 5:37 pm |
I feel a lot of where parents send their children to school comes from where they live and their financial situation. There are many great school districts in Nassau County. If your family is living in that specific district where they are paying taxes on schools, this is indeed a huge benefactor. However, if a district is not so good parents may feel that sending their child to private school is a much better option.
Aside from location and financesI believe another factor that influences a parent’s decision comes from their educational background. I only attended private school and I am comfortable with it’s setting and the education it provides. Therefore, I only see myself sending my children to private school.
edwardchlanda // April 24, 2009 at 5:32 am |
Having myself be a product of an entire education of private schooling, I have to start off and say i’m definitely a bias opinion. I feel that private schools offer children the structure they need to achieve in the classroom. The many things explained in this article are all the wonderful things that students get when in a private school. One thing the article did not mention was the motivation of the students within a private school. I feel that almost all of my HS classmates were kids that wanted to succeed in school and go on to college. I would never say that there aren’t kids in public school that want to go to college as well but there is always that group of kids that is just in public school because they have to be. The structure that private schools present is something that was beneficial to me as a learner while there and even more beneficial in regards to college and how I represent myself in society. But there will always been the debate of which is better.
mlny83 // April 24, 2009 at 6:55 am |
I think the issue of public school versus private school really just comes down to a matter of preference.
I have attended private schools my whole life up until college. Though I am not a parent yet – I think it’s safe to say I plan on sending my children to private schools.
I may be biased because I have a very small background when it comes to public schools – but I really like the structure and stability that is given to children in private schools.
There are pros and cons to both. Just because I send my kids to private school doesn’t mean it’s better than a public school – really it’s just my preference. I think a lot of people can say the same.
krubino1 // April 25, 2009 at 1:18 am |
This is a topic I think about a lot. I often think about when I have kids where I will decide to send them. I have always attended private school but I only attended private school because of where I lived. I think for some people that’s a major part of why they go to private school. The one thing about private school I do like is the structure that I learned there. I really can’t say if one is better than the other, I really just think is a personal preference
og399 // April 25, 2009 at 3:46 pm |
The school that best suits a child’s educational needs is either one, public or private. It is the one that the child’s parents deem best for their child. I personally prefer the public school system, despite the problems the system is currently facing. I have been fortunate to live in areas where the public schools are just as good, if not better than many of the private schools. The children from the public schools received better instruction from their teachers than private school students. Also, while the prevalence of violence and drugs were less for private school students, it was still available to them, as both groups of students are joined together through community sports and living. However, I understand not all areas are fortunate to have a good public school system and the parents who care about their child’s education will opt to send their child to private school. The most important thing in a child’s education is happiness and a desire to learn. Therefore the decision between public and private school should be a collective decision between parent and child.
acirnigl // April 25, 2009 at 8:26 pm |
This has been a debate that has existed for a long time, an ultimately I believe is one that can only be answered on a case by case situation. Personally, I am biased because I loved my public school education. I think one of the biggest drawbacks to private schools is the sense of community lost. The relationship between school and community is an extremely unique link that only exists in the public schools. Another problem is the tuition of private schools, although i imagine students who attend these schools come from familes where they can afford the cost. I love the diversity of many public schools that tends to lack in private schools. However, there are too many public schools that do not provide great learning opportunities. If there are parents in these areas that can afford to send their children to private schools, I would support the decision. Unfortunately, most of the families who live in these areas are not in finanacial positions to have their children to go anywhere other then their poor performing public schools.
jlaboyne // April 26, 2009 at 2:26 am |
The first school I observed in was a private school and I absolutely loved it. The kids were kind and respectful, the classes weren’t overcrowded and they had great resources in the classroom. To me it was pretty much the ideal classroom situation. I was really suprised that private school teachers don’t have to be certified, I would think otherwise since the parents are paying so much for their kids to go there. I then went and spent some hours in a public school. It’s not that I wouldn’t want to teach in a public school, I would love to teach in either and I went to public school and loved it, but the students are definately more unpredictable and a little less respectful in the public schools. I happen to observe in an upper middle class town so there wasn’t a lack of supplies or extraacurricular activities but I know that could be in different areas due to funding. What it really comes down to is the money. While the parents are obviously paying more and expect more for their children, I don’t really think its fair that students elsewhere are without books and supplies because their parents don’t have the money to send them away. I really think this is a problem that has to be addressed.
tagnes86 // April 26, 2009 at 11:52 pm |
Well, this is a tough one. I am not a parent yet, but if I had to decide which option I would want, I would probably send my child to public school. I’m hoping that by the time I send my child to school, I will be living in a good neighborhood, with an excellent school district. I agree with one of the earlier comments about diversity. I would want my child to be integrated with children on different backgrounds, and religious beliefs, rather attending school with children of the SAME beliefs or background. Plus as somebody else also mentioned, you are paying the tax dollars anyway… take advantage of it! Why spend more money on other forms of schooling? Especially if you are planning on paying for your child’s college education as well…
inspired2teach // April 27, 2009 at 2:00 am |
Public versus Private school – there are numerous pluses and minuses that can be linked with either type of schooling. The topic of school uniforms, for example, is one that raises many interesting questions. The author makes an important point–that it is ultimately up to the parents to choose either option for their children. And even though I see the benefits in both types of schools, coming from a background where I attended a parochial school for most of my grade school years, I think that the parochial (or private) school appears to provide more of a ’sheltered’ environment, whereas the public school is a bit less sheltered and more diverse–in other words, more representative of the larger world. Public school may conceivably have more social advantages because it allows students to adapt to our very diverse world a bit earlier — some students who attend private schools all their lives may experience some difficulties adapting to their college or work environments once they leave the private school environment, as an example.
yanksplaya29 // April 28, 2009 at 2:01 am |
As a product of the public school system I personally am a believer in them. I think they offer the most diverse environment for students to grow in. yes, private schools may have better resources but that doesn’t mean they have the best teachers (nor do public schools); but I think that private schools don’t give students the freedom as a public school does. I do agree the parents should decide based on the situation and the school district. But I think parents need to not be so afraid of diversity. I may have a different opinion when I am a parent but as of right now I wouldn’t even consider private school.
jackiehali29 // April 28, 2009 at 3:24 am |
I have attended public school throughout all of my years as a student. Considering the advantages of private school mentioned in this article, I did sometimes feel that my classes were too large to get the individualized attention I needed. Although I always felt as though mostly all of my teachers were intelligent individuals and wonderful teachers. I think in the end it just depends on the individual school (whether private or public) and the parents choice. I think both types of schools have a lot to offer and can benefit students in a variety of different ways. There will always be drawbacks of picking one over the other but students have th opportunity to receive a good education from both.
amebec23 // April 28, 2009 at 6:59 pm |
I believe public school verses private schools are a matter that is specific to each student. Places a child in public school rather than private school should be decided as a result of how the student behaves and learns. I believe it should be a family decision if they want their child to wear uniforms or partake in smaller classrooms. Every student is different and no family is alike. No school public or private is the same either. Every student deserves the chance at a successful education no matter what kind of environment they choose to learn in. Teachers on the other hand may have different motives for wanting to be a part of a public school. Much of it is a result of salary and vacation time. From the teachers I have observed, I have found they enjoy a position as a public school teacher rather than private. This ensures then tenure, vacation days that are paid, and summers off with a paycheck in toe. Educators should take all of these factors into consideration but inevitably chose their facility because of their love for teaching, not money!
mot86 // April 29, 2009 at 12:34 am |
Growing up I attended Catholic school from age 3 to 17. I absolutely loved going to Catholic school for many reasons. Now, as I work in a public school I noticed that students miss out on many services that are provided in public schools. For example, occupational and physical therapy. Also public schools provide enrichment programs and daily extra-help to students in need. I find it very sad to see students in Catholic schools missing out on these learning and growing experiences. I enjoyed reading this article, great job!
keisha1 // May 2, 2009 at 2:05 am |
For most parents, private schools are the best options for them. Why? most prefer that to public schools because of the influences in public schools today. Furthermore, most parents believe that private schools generate better students with better grades. Not to say some public schools are not as efficient in producing smart students and the overall grade. The down side to some parents sending their children to private schools, is often times the financial cost. Parents have to choose a school that is best suited for their child as well as for them financially.
ecyoung // May 2, 2009 at 9:42 pm |
I personally believe that attending a public school is better for the child in terms of experiencing diversity. Unfortunately some public schools can be in areas where violence and drugs are prevalent in the school environment. In situations where the public schools are not a safe place to send your children than I can understand why parents would send their children to a private school. The financial cost of private schools can be to much for some parents in which case charter schools become an option.
flaviama // May 3, 2009 at 5:15 pm |
This has always been a topic of discussion among my college friends, especially with so many of us being future or present teachers. We were divided, half from private, half from public schools. It is difficult, being a product of the public school system on Long Island, to understand the motivations for parents who place their children in private schools. Unless you reside in a very poor school district, I do not agree with people who choose private. One of my friends would contradict herself often, stating that private schools were better because they had more discipline but often spoke of the rampant drug problem in her school. She spoke of better materials, etc but stated that teachers were not properly trained and classes crowded.
lbeach // May 4, 2009 at 3:25 am |
“Parents will need to arm themselves with vital information regarding the public or private schools of which you are considering for your child”
This statement scares me and there is nothing anyone can do. Who knows what is best? Both sides can argue for which one is better but does anyone have an answer? Should we shelter our children from what we feel is wrong or should we throw them into the deep end?
vdreye1 // May 4, 2009 at 4:51 pm |
I believe that when it comes to the great debate between private and public schools the choice is totally dependent on the child. Their are some kids that work better in public schools, in a bigger scene, and where they don’t have teachers watching their every move. On the other hand some children work better in private school because they like a longer list of rules and they like being told everything that they can or cannot do. In my opinion both educations are good but depending on the student, one can be more beneficial then another.
meep80 // July 5, 2009 at 4:19 am |
I HAD to create an account in order to correct the record here. As a private school teacher myself with teacher-friends teaching at other private schools, I can tell you that private school teachers do NOT, I repeat NOT, make more than public school teachers. In fact, they make significantly LESS, on average, than public school teachers. I just had to correct the record…….Otherwise, interesting article. As a teacher, I will say that it depends on the individual child and also the family as a unit. I’d advise parents to think about more than merely test scores and to weigh and compare the cultures of various schools. For example, a given school may offer an environment conducive to encouraging a love of learning in children, which can last a lifetime. I’d also say this: look for a school where parents and staff support teachers. This makes a huge difference on a daily basis in the classroom and helps teachers reach each child. Best of luck!
lpastore2 // September 29, 2009 at 9:26 pm |
The debate of sending your children to public or private schools will always be ongoing. As a product of a public school, I disagree with many of the practices in private schools, for the most part. In a decent school district, there are many aspects and services public schools have to offer that are not available to those enrolled in private schools such as extra curricular activities, clubs, therapies and OT/PT services, and extra assisted learning programs. Not to mention the culturally diverse populations and broad range of socio-economic status. All of this is often lost in an expensive, private school system. The authors also brought up another major issue of services and programs provided for those with learning disabilities or special needs. Overall, much is to be considered when deciding how to educate your child based on their emotional and intellectual needs.
teachusa1 // October 15, 2009 at 12:06 am |
The debate over private vs. public school is an ongoing one. As the article discusses, there are pros and cons to each aspect of the debate. However as another person mentioned, if you are paying taxes which go to your zoned public school then why waste that money and spend additionaly money paying for private school as well? One of the main reasons families move to specific areas of Long Island for example, is for the schools. And with taxes as high as they are in Long Island, to pay hundreds of dollars a month in school taxes and then pay tuition for a private is just alot of money. And with the economy the way it is now, I am sure that there are not many families out there that can afford such a luxury.
clovaton // October 18, 2009 at 7:30 pm |
Both types of schools have good and bad points. At the end of the day I think it is up to the parents to decide which school best serves their children’s needs.
lisapratt17 // October 26, 2009 at 9:26 pm |
I attended public and private schools; I enjoyed the advantages of public (more electives, diversity and flexibility) as well as private (smaller class sizes, less teaching to tests, college prep classes.) However, one of the biggest advantages I found while attending private school was the priority given to English and writing.
Today, elementary, middle and high school students live in the land of DBQs (document-based questions.) While these are the backbone of standardized tests they provide very little writing experience for the real world. Children are being served a terrible disservice; writing skills are evaporating. Phonics lessons are boring and repetitive, however, they do work. Perhaps after many years of relying on whole language, we will return to the tried and true and students will be able to write again.
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