Personal Experiences and Attitudes
Each of us has a stake in public schools in our own community, our state and our country. Most of us attended public schools. Through our taxes, we help pay their costs. Some of us teach in public schools. Children and youth educated in these schools today will shape the world tomorrow. All of us know the importance of public schools.

Some think our public schools are doing a good or even excellent job. Others say our public schools are failing miserably. Still others point to both strengths and weaknesses. Many add that their evaluation depends on the particular school system. Persons' own experience or that of their children in public schools vary widely. These experiences influence their attitudes toward public schools.

Use the following questions to discuss your personal experiences with and attitudes toward public schools. Share your answers with the class and talk about the ideas that arise. Hear all answers to one question before moving on to the next.

1. My elementary and secondary schooling was in
a) public school b) parochial or private school c) both

2. My children (or grandchildren) were or are enrolled in
a) public schools b) parochial schools c) other

3. The education I received in elementary and secondary schools was
a) excellent b) good c) fair d) poor

4. The education my children (or grandchildren) received or are receiving in elementary and secondary schools was or is
a) excellent b) good c) fair d) poor

5. The changes I notice between my schooling and that of my children or grandchildren are generally
a) for the better b) for the worse c) mixed

6. The overall quality of public schools throughout the United States is
a) excellent b) good c) fair d) poor

Differing Views
Public schools are a prominent feature of towns, suburbs and cities across the United States. They differ in size and quality, but they share certain common characteristics.

Public schools are government run and tax supported. They are available without cost for every resident. Local school districts own, operate and govern public schools. State boards of education establish statewide educational and teacher certification standards, determine curricula and control state educational funds. The federal government plays a secondary role in funding and setting policy for schools.

The public school system is often considered to be among our country's greatest achievements and treasures. People who have a positive attitude toward the existing system point to the opportunity for education that public schools offer to all children, especially children who are poor and/or suffer from discrimination; the role public schools play in bringing together children from many different social, economic and ethnic backgrounds -- including those from new immigrant populations -- for a common education; the high level of education in the United States shown, for example, in the substantial number of students who graduate from high school and go on to college, or in the scientific and technological leadership of the United States; the high percentage of people who live in suburbs and towns and rate their public schools favorably; and the ability of public schools to provide education for children with special learning needs.

People who have a less positive or critical attitude toward the existing public school system point to the lack of opportunity for good education on the part of many children and youth in large cities; the number of public schools that are attended by students with similar social, economic and ethnic backgrounds; the drop in educational achievement shown, for example, by the lowering of scores on standardized tests, the comparison of performance levels with other industrialized countries, and the high percentage of high school dropouts; the claim that public schools teach beliefs and values that oppose those that parents teach their children; the prevalence of violence in too many schools; and the increase in the cost and bureaucracy of the public school system without apparent improvement in educational quality.

For Discussion
1. Discuss the nature of the public school system in your community and state.

2. In your view, which of the statements supportive of public schools is most important? Why?

3. In your view, which of the statements critical of public schools is most important? Why?

4. What other statements would you add either in support or criticism of the existing public school system? Are there statements you would take off the lists?

Traditionally, every child was expected to attend the nearest public school in the school district in which he or she resided. In an effort to improve the quality of education, many states are offering expanded choices of public schools in which parents may enroll their children.

This "school choice" began with magnet schools. Children with special abilities or needs are "drawn" to "magnet" schools, which offer a specialized education. With magnet schools, students do not necessarily attend the school nearest to them.

Minnesota significantly expanded school choice. It was the first state to pass laws that established statewide public school choice. All students from kindergarten through twelfth grade may choose to apply to a public school or program outside the district in which they live. High school students are allowed to attend a college or technical institute either full- or part-time at no cost to the student. Other states have emulated this landmark public policy, and school choice programs now operate in many states.

In some states, school choice takes the form of charter schools. These schools operate under separate charters from the State Department of Education. They can draw students from across school district lines, limit enrollment to a pre-determined number of students, and exercise wide choice in teacher selection.

Basic funding for charter schools comes from tax dollars, although these funds are often supplemented by private sector donations. Charter schools are usually freed from operating under some of the state's rules and regulations. Since they are public schools, they are prohibited from promoting religious beliefs in their instruction. The state evaluates charter schools on their ability to achieve some pre-determined educational goals, often within specific fiscal limitations.

It is still too early to judge how well charter schools perform or how their existence affects the larger public school system. This much is clear: charter schools do expand school choice for many parents, and most charter schools have full enrollment.

For Discussion
1. To what extent is there school choice within the public school system in your community and state?

2. If there is school choice, what effect has it had on schooling in your state?

3. Discuss the idea of parental choice in matters of education. How important is it? Should a school system be organized to increase choice? What other values need to be considered?