First off, that is rather a meaningless assertion to begin with, since there’s no such thing as a “typical” public school. Because the American public school system is decentralized, quality varies tremendously. The truth is, however, that, based on what indicator you decide to use, many public schools outperform private schools.
It is important to understand that knowledge does not have any address. Knowledge does not “reside” in a single location or another. In fact, now that the internet has broken down nearly all the barriers that once limited information access, this reality is more true than ever before. Your child will get a first class, quality education from your local public school.
Saying that private schools are “better” than public schools is a lot like saying that books you get from Barnes & Noble are “better” than those you have from your own local public library. The data, the access may be the same. It’s everything you (and your child) do with the books that counts. Likewise, it is what you as well as your child do together with your public school that may determine his or her educational outcomes.
Frankly, we think that blaming your child’s public school if your son or daughter is not achieving academically is a lot like blaming your gym if you are out of shape. It isn’t the fault of the institution; it’s what you do there that makes the crucial difference.
Your child can absolutely still obtain an Ivy league-worthy education from the public school system. That’s let’s assume that he or she is ready to work hard in the top level classes, needless to say.
Myth #2: “Private schools have better teachers than public schools.”
Let’s address that one head-on. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicate that public school teachers are better educated than private school teachers with more experience, on average. For instance, public school teachers will have a master’s degree than private school teachers.
Public schools experience less teacher turnover, due to the fact public school teachers are far better paid. This means public school teachers are more experienced. Also, Public schools require professional credentials for teachers and administrators. Many private school teachers work there since they lack the mandatory credentials for a public school job.
It is undoubtedly true that public schools have their share of teachers who are duds, so you are going to have to be proactive about searching for the best teachers for the child. Stay alert and stay in touch with guidance personnel to steer your towards probably the most talented teachers.
Myth #3: “My child will meet bad influences in public school.”
It’s true that public schools need to serve everyone, including students who’ve no fascination with learning. But they don’t have to serve all of them equally. Due to tracking, every public school of sufficient size has “schools within the institution”–subsets of high achieving students who take classes together. The surroundings within this subset is entirely not the same as what exists in lower-achieving classrooms.
It’s also a mistake to assume that private schools are filled up with high achievers. Many children in private school were placed there precisely because they failed to do what they needed to do to achieve in public school. Some even go to private school since they were expelled from public school! This is certainly not the minority, but it does happen.
Don’t kid yourself into believing that private schools somehow insulate your kids from bad influences. With regards to the student culture, the surroundings in a private school can be extremely decadent, anti-intellectual, and drug-fueled.
Remember: the higher tracks will be the “inside track” to higher achievement and high-performing peers within public schools.
Myth #4: “Public schools lack academic rigor.”
It was previously true a student who didn’t care much about learning could slide through senior high school in low-level classes and “earn” a diploma without learning much. Recent changes in accountability and exit-testing have largely eliminated this program, and public schools now face the predictable issue of many low-achieving students not graduating.
On the other end of the grading scale, however, more public school students than ever are now taking advantage of high caliber learning opportunities such as for example AP and Honors courses, which–at their best–rival what is available in the most exclusive private schools.
You can find multiple realities in a typical public school, but students who are motivated to challenge themselves with the highest level of classes are likely to discover that intellectual challenges are loaded in public school. (Your typical public school teacher is more prone to complain that too few students rise to the task than that too little challenges exist for motivated students.)
Consider this factoid, as well: 64% of admitted Harvard students visited public school. If there were enough challenges for these students in public school, you can find enough challenges for the child, as well.
Myth #5: “My child could have better extracurricular activities in private school.”
This one is really a no-brainer. Public schools, due to their sheer size both with regards to budget and student numbers, have the competititve edge in supplying a wider array of extracurricular opportunities. 九龍城 n班 That is definitely an area where the public schools excel.
Public schools clearly have the benefit in terms of being able to offer more competitive athletic programs and a full selection of band and orchestral choices. Small private schools just don’t possess the numbers to aid the same breadth of offerings–at least not at a competitive level.
The truth is, some extracurriculars may become so competitive at the public high school that it is difficult for a casual participant to help make the teams or achieve distinction. In this case, a private school might provide greater opportunities for involvement. It is important to explain that programs wax or wane within public schools, depending on personnel and the grade of student involvement.
Myth #6: “I have to reside in a rich neighborhood to find good public schools.”
This myth seems to seem sensible on its face. It seems logical to assume that the public schools in the more affluent areas would be “better” compared to the public schools in less affluent areas. Because the tax base is stronger, you’ll be prepared to find increased support for school funding, as well.
Don’t assume that is necessarily the case, however. The fact of the problem is that people living in affluent communities tend to have fewer children. (Or, none at all. Sometimes people opt to focus on making profits rather than rearing children, or affluent communities may include many older adults with grown children.) Hence, support for the general public schools could be lacking.
Also, affluent families may not balk at the cost of private education, therefore the public schools could find themselves left with only the students from the cheapest socioeconomic sectors. The kids of affluent families also tend not to be “upwardly-mobile” and the schools in affluent areas are inclined to dealing with a cultural sense of entitlement. This is simply not a helpful environment for all those seeking academic advancement because of their children.
The truth is that public schools have a tendency to excel in areas with a strong middle income. Public school teachers have a tendency to come from the middle classes and to be drawn to these kind of schools. So, as long as you are avoiding severely under-funded schools in impoverished areas, usually do not worry that your child is not attending the “posh” public school in your area.
Myth #7: “I have no choice but to send my child to my local public school.”
This has traditionally been the case, but is not any longer necessarily true. Options are expanding. To begin with, many public school districts are willing to accept “out-of-area” students. Usually, this depends upon enrollment numbers. Some school districts may impose a “tuition” fee; others may not. It never hurts to ask. Also, inside your own district, you may well be in a position to request permission for the child to attend another school compared to the one he or she is “zoned” to attend. Again, the amount of flexibility possibility may depend upon enrollment numbers. Sometimes, an area may be pleased to honor this kind of request, if it can help to relieve crowding in one school.
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