Reasons to Support Public Schools

There are many, many reasons to support public schools rather than charters and other forms of privatized public schools. While this isn't suppose to be an exhaustive list, it surely supports the strength of the system throughout the years.

1. The vast majority of public schools do a decent job of giving students a well rounded education; a wide array of courses and a rich curriculum. I know many charters that can't make such a claim.

2. Public schools don't discriminate among who enters the school. Anyone who enters the doors has the same access to a quality education. I am aware of charters that don't take all 'comers.'

3. Education experts run public schools both at an administrative level and in the classroom.

4. Public schools offer a wide array of activities, sports and other forms of enrichment that many other types of schools don't provide.

5. Because public school are just that, 'public,' they don't have to engage in all sorts of competitive activities to draw students through their doors. Competition may work in the marketplace but this has no place in the realm of education.

6. Contrary to popular belief, public schools often reform themselves from the inside (it is often hard for outsiders to see this) in a variety of subtle ways.

These are but a few of the many reasons why public schools do such an outstanding job of education the youth in America. Making disparaging remarks about public schools, particularly those who are 'failing,' misses the mark. If a public school is failing, closing its doors doesn't address the issue of assisting students in need.

Let's stand up and continue to support public education and, yes, to make improvements where they are needed.

Dick Flesher