Public schools in the United States are provided by the state, and federal funding. More than 90 percent of children attend public schools. Private schools in the United States include schools in which religion is a priority. Clearly, public schools provide more education than private schools in the United States. Private schools are built were created for the administration, and parents to communicate, and a priority to involve parents in the child’s learning environment. From frequent parent-teacher meetings, social events, and family events, and fundraising initiatives, families become an important part of the child’s education. This also creates a strong bond between parent, and student. Also qualified teachers are making a difference …show more content…
Private schools charge tuition however, public schools are offered free of charge. For many parents, this is the hardest factor to think. From elementary to high schools all work with the help of tax money. “Many public schools stand in the peak of education due to outdated text books” (Clark 21). Most of these public schools are traditional schools with educational standards set by each state in the United States. Education is free because public schools rely on federal, state, local taxes, funding of these educational grounds can be cut when requirements are not met. Also, public schools have to follow state guidelines on what they can teach, and how children need to be evaluated. Most private schools depend on their own funding, which may come from parents through tuition, grants, and donations. Private schools also seek money help from alumni, businesses, and community organizations from around the country to help them survive. If the school is partnered with a religious organization; with Catholic schools, the religious organization like the Catholic Church may be an important source of funding for them. Also private schools are free to offer religious education, or curriculums not regulated by state …show more content…
Since teaching religion in a public schools has been banned, parents may opt for a private school with a religious component. Catholic, Jewish, and Christian schools can embrace faith-based education in their curriculum, and other activities. “Academic religion promotes “personal character”, and “love of learning” (William 86). Many private schools go beyond academics, and require daily attendance at a chapel, synagogue, or temple. Students of non-religious families also attend religious schools. For example, the number of non-Catholic students attending Catholic schools. Freedom of school choice is wider than it ever was. A factor that plays a large role in parents deciding whether to send their children to public, or private school is whether, or not they want religious, and or moral instruction to play a part of their children’s academic environment. Religion in education is such a controversial topic by itself that it might take a long discussion to develop the topic. There are many strong arguments for this matter. “The government takes an appropriate approach to religion in education” (Attack on Public schools). The government allows for freedom of expression in schools yet, they are preventing the teachers from influencing the students with their religious beliefs. This topic really demonstrates the fact that everyone is different, which causes people to
Per Regnerus et al, professors who hold reputable positions at accredited teaching institutions, studies “display strong evidence that public schools now lag behind Catholic schools in the average educational achievement of their students, most poignantly in cities and low-income neighborhoods” (16). Although this study pertained mostly to a specific type of school- Catholic school- similar results can be achieved by requiring a child to take at least one religion-specific class. Similarly, another study expressed the impact of religion on academic achievement: “Individuals with no religious affiliation reported the fewest years of education and were also likely to have the least religious socialization. Not being affiliated with a church resulted in a detrimental impact on educational achievement” (Brown & Gary 422). Without some form of religious impact on an individual’s life, one experienced low academic achievement. Religion should being an integral of public education and should be a requirement of all students; however, an array of different religious courses should be offered so that one is not forced to learn something they have no interest
In addition to having to pay for private school tuition, private school families currently have to pay public school taxes as well. Having to pay for both school systems may put a financial burden on these families. If a particular family has more than one child or more than one child that is enrolled in a private school, this may also increase financial stress. The same idea goes for families that no longer have a child enrolled in a public school. That particular child may be attending college after they had graduated from a public high school....
Before public schools emerged, children were educated in the home by their parents. They were taught arithmetic, practical skills, and to read and write. Some wealthy families preferred hiring a tutor for their children (Koetzsch, 1997). In the 1840s, prominent leaders such as Horace Mann lead a movement to institute public schools in the United States (Thattai, 2001). These reformers argued that public schools would create good citizens, unite society, and prevent crime and poverty. As a result of their efforts, public elementary schools evolved in American society by the end of the 19th century. Massachusetts was the first state to pass a compulsory attendance law, ruling that all children had to attend at least elementary school (Thattai, 2001). By 1918, all states had the compulsory attendance law. Catholics weren’t happy with the public education system, so they instituted private schools (Thattai, 2001). When public institutions emerged, home schooling nearly vanished in the United States (Koetzsch, 1997).
Many outsider views have changed negatively since the enlightenment (McConnell, 10) however, the fact still stands that religion is one of the most powerful influences on a person’s decisions throughout whether it is an actual religion or the lack thereof. The Supreme Court even states that “it is legitimate for the public schools to inculcate values” and most values of present day society are often based on religious beliefs. Inculcating religion into the lives of students in the public school is not only both historically and presently permissible but also beneficial to the three main areas of a school system.
While the constitutional issue is a powerful motivator, there are other reasons that educators must inform themselves about religious practice and belief. One of these...
The parents have the primary responsibility for the upbringing their children, including education. Consequently, parents need to be knowledgeable about the rules and practices school, including all matters relating to the religion and religious freedom in public education. In each community, parents should work with school officials to achieve not only what is constitutional, but also what is right for all citizens (Essex, 2012).The principles of freedom of religious are provided in the First Amendment where the civic structure that allows discussing differences, understand the relationship between parents and school policies and forge serve the common good in public education (Lecture 2, 2014). The following issues or inquiries are general information about the speech and religious practice in schools. These issues are based on the principles liberty of religious framed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, currently interpreted by the courts and according to accept a wide range of religious and educational organizations(Essex, 2012). Some of the current issues that are present in the public schools about religion are: Finding a common ground of freedom, Religious Liberty and Public Schools, The Student Religious Expression, Student Religious Attire or Distribution of Literature, Student Prayer, School Services and in graduation services, and one that cause more attention with the new cuts in budget and higher standards requirements is the Religious Holidays, Attendance, and Exemptions.
One of the most important facets of the school choice system to understand is the involvement of religion in private schools. Approximately eighty-percent of private schools in the United States are religiously affiliated. The most popular type of private school, based on religion, is private schools that operate under the religion of Catholicism (CAPE, 2011). Though private schools are less popular than public schools in the United States it is important to understand all the factors that go into both the private and public schools.
There is a time and place for religion, but public schools is not one of them. Although religion has the potential to unify some kids in school, it is not unifying to all. This leaves room for disagreement to destroy bonds between others. Once groups are separated by religion, the unification as a whole is eliminated. “Religious wars breed disunity” (Museveni). If religion can be kept to the family and community, there would be less conflict in public schools.
Education and religion are two inseparable topics that tend to lead to confusion and controversy when they are placed upon each other. Since the beginning, the United States of America has been built upon religion. Hence the term, “God” being put into famous writings such as the Pledge of Allegiance and the Constitution. However, as time goes on the number of diversity in religion and has risen. In addition, it has become a debate on whether or not religion should be allowed into the new current developing school systems.
For some parents, deciding on a school for their children can be a difficult decision. Many parents do not spend much time thinking about it; they place their children into the local school designated by where they live. Others attended a private school themselves and found that it was a beneficial experience and therefore want the same for their kids. But which is better: private schools or public schools? While there are many advantages and disadvantages in each (nothing is going to be absolutely perfect), we are going to focus on the benefits of an education in the public school system, or in other words, schools funded by the government that are for anyone to attend. An accurate definition found in the Encyclopedia of American Education (1996) states: “Any elementary or secondary school under control of elected or appointed civil authority, supported entirely by public tax monies, and, with few exceptions, open to all students in a designated district, free of any tuition charges.” (780) These include elementary, secondary schools and vocational schools. Public schools are a good choice in education because they provide a wide variety of subjects to study, are diverse in their student body, available to everyone, yet can sometimes be misunderstood.
University of Michigan. “Religion in Schools: A look at how religious practices influence education.” .
While students are attending public schools they should be aware of their religion options. The student should have the right to practice their religion as they please, just on the own time. Yes, religion plays a huge part in molding a person but, should be practiced when the time is available, not in a classroom setting. The government should have the ability to control the protection of the students that just want to learn. The capability to regulate the religious practices while attending public educational institutions should be left to the government. Faith, religion and belief, usually are three words that are used to describe one situation, although these words have three different meanings. To have faith in something or someone you must first believe in it and also accept it as well, but have a belief without evidence. Religion is a belief in a heavenly superhuman power or principle, such as the almighty or creator to all things. Everyone has faith and belief, but not all believers believe in the almighty. Allowing religion into public schools while everyone attending not having the same belief is unfair, unconstitutional and is complicated to teach to a verity of students.
Class Size is another issue. In private schools there’s usually smaller classes, so students are getting more attention. This makes it better for the students because if they need help, then it’s easier to get help from the teachers and to be more focused because of less noise and easier for teachers to control their classrooms.
There are many decisions for parents to choose private or public school for their kids. Every parent wants what is best for his or her child. A person's education is one of the most important aspects in determining whether or not they will become a productive member of society. Education is so important. We need to look at both public and private schools to find out if there is a difference. Private schools are a better choice than public school for many reasons. Private encourages strong quality teaching, encourages higher education learning, and inhibit the rampant of bullying.
Private tuition in Singapore is gaining more and more popularity among Singaporean. According to survey done, more than 90% of students are attending after-school tuition classes in both home based and private tuition centres, which leads to parents spending more an estimated of $680million on the industry. (M. Palatino. 2013/10/22. The Diplomat, “Singapore’s Tuition Industrial Complex”. Asean Beat.) This can become a concern for the public education considering the rate that the private tuition industry is growing at. Private tuition may be beneficial for students to most parents, it may cause more underlying disadvantages that many may not think of.