New Website: Why Public Schools?

Posted by on January 20, 2006

WHY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

Currently, our nation is engaged in a healthy and high profile debate regarding the quality and content of the education that our children will need in the 21st century. Unfortunately, some of the politics involved in that debate have misrepresented the successful overall performance of public education. Likewise, attention is frequently diverted from the broad societal role which public education uniquely plays in order to advance alternative approaches to education that can’t fulfill that larger mission. For public school advocates, it is especially important at this time to strengthen the public’s understanding and commitment to the principles behind public education. For quick reference consider that public education in America means: (1) a free education for all students; (2) the promise of equal educational opportunities no matter race, religion or ability; (3) high standards; (4) public accountability; and (5) a benefit to society by teaching democratic principles and common values.

http://www.nsba.org/site/sec_peac.asp?TrackID=&CID=1235&DID=32100