When you’ve experienced living in multiple states, raising three kids, and holding a teaching background, discussions about education start early when meeting new people. Each time we relocated before having children, I found teaching positions in our new communities, earning teaching licenses in states like Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Although I left teaching to focus on motherhood, schools have always been a priority for me, prompting me to explore various institutions, meet with principals, and conduct research to make informed decisions about my children’s education.
Despite my extensive experiences across different educational environments, one constant has remained: my children attend public schools. The thought of enrolling them in private schools never really crossed my mind.
My childhood was spent in public schools in suburban Connecticut. My parents chose our home largely due to its proximity to the local schools, which meant I went through the same public school district from kindergarten to graduation. Therefore, when I pursued my teaching certificate in college, applying for public school jobs felt like the natural next step.
Are there public schools in America that require improvement? Absolutely. However, the prevailing notion that private schools provide a superior education simply doesn’t hold water.
As a mother of three school-aged children, I’ve become aware of the stigma associated with public school education, a realization that has become quite bothersome to me as a mom, former teacher, and a product of public schooling myself.
Here’s the reality: all schools face challenges. Every educational institution has a few teachers who may not engage fully with their roles. Each school has students whose families are grappling with various difficulties—financial, emotional, or otherwise. All schools operate on budgets, which vary in size, and must make tough decisions about resource allocation, program funding, and addressing everyday needs like providing lunch.
Every school has its share of successes and failures—students who excel and those who struggle, educators who inspire and those who fall short. They all deal with the complexities of student life, including the exposure to experiences that might come too soon for some children.
So why do proponents of private education often elevate their institutions above public schools? The assertion that private schools are inherently better has been challenged by The Washington Post, which reported findings from a study indicating that private schools do not provide a superior education.
Researchers from the University of Virginia analyzed data from over 1,000 students and concluded that once socio-demographic factors are taken into account, public schools do not fall short in quality as commonly believed. Moreover, private institutions often cater primarily to neurotypical students, leaving children with special needs at a disadvantage.
This conversation is particularly pertinent today, as Betsy Duvall, the current Secretary of Education, promotes the privatization of public education, suggesting that private schools are the answer. It’s worth noting that her family’s wealth and their private school education do not necessarily translate to better outcomes for all students (which is often the case, as wealth tends to perpetuate itself).
Duvall has even labeled public schools a “dead end” in her push for voucher programs, which would allow more families to divert funds from public schools to private institutions. Such a label is not only misleading but deeply offensive to the dedicated educators who work tirelessly to foster an engaging environment for their students. These teachers strive to support each child, often balancing their professional responsibilities with their personal lives, all for a salary that hardly reflects their hard work.
When you strip away socioeconomic factors, there are no significant indicators that private schools outperform public schools. As a former public school student and teacher, and a current parent of public school children, I take immense pride in our public education system. The dead end, Mrs. Duvall, lies in the false narrative that public school students receive an inadequate education. This perception undermines the hard work of teachers and the quality of education available to students.
My own classroom wasn’t a dead end; it was a pathway to growth, critical thinking, and improved writing skills. I aimed to broaden my students’ horizons, helping them appreciate diversity and understand literature’s role in reflecting societal truths.
Yes, public schools face challenges and in some cases require significant reform. However, the blanket assumption that private schools automatically provide superior education is simply incorrect. What they often provide is an environment where affluent children can mingle with peers from similar backgrounds. But a better education? Not necessarily.
As highlighted in The Washington Post, a study found no evidence that private schools are more effective in addressing achievement gaps linked to income or race. In fact, a book titled The Public School Advantage by Christopher A. Lubienski and Sarah Theule Lubienski reveals that public school students often outperform their private school counterparts in math.
Ultimately, all children require support and resources—books, technology, and nutritious meals. Each student with learning difficulties deserves accommodations to succeed. They all need motivated teachers who are passionate about educating the future. It doesn’t matter if these elements are found in public or private schools; what matters is ensuring all students have access to them.
So, Betsy Duvall, instead of pursuing policies that undermine public education, how about focusing on providing equitable opportunities for all children? Let’s ensure every child has access to quality meals, necessary materials, and teachers who are fairly compensated and supported. We don’t need your vouchers or disparaging comments about public schools; we need you to fulfill your role effectively for every student in America. Our public schools are filled with remarkable educators and inspired students who will grow up to work alongside their peers from private institutions.
In the future, I’m confident that when my kids embark on their careers, their public school education will be an asset, and they’ll proudly share their experiences.
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Summary:
Public schools are often misunderstood and unfairly stigmatized compared to private institutions. Despite challenges, they provide a quality education that is not necessarily inferior to private schools. With the right resources and support, public schools can foster the growth and success of all students.