?Why Public Schools Help America
Today’s society is shaped by education. Modern day youth are led to full potential by
teachers who help us learn regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic status. According to
Durham Public Schools in North Carolina, the mission of public schools is to create a world class
school district which will provide excellent educational opportunities enabling each student to
become a responsible citizen and a lifelong learner. I discussed the benefits of public schooling
with various acquaintances and received their input on numerous topics regarding integration,
low cost education, equal opportunities, and a standard level for courses. Other youth were
interested in the development and changes of our educational system.
Foremost, a standard curriculum provides remedial instruction in math, reading and
writing and allows skilled and unskilled learners alike to receive training. Schools advocate for
the inclusion of differently-abled students in our classrooms, ensuring that teachers have the
special training needed to meet these children's needs. There is emphasizing on books and
literacy; speaking out for the academic freedom of teachers and librarians; calling for the broad
availability of all age-appropriate materials and books in public school libraries; and encouraging
schools to include information which will broaden students' understanding of human life all over
the world. There is management and help of students with chronic behavioral problems and other
emotional issues, allowing them to continue to work to their highest potential. Basic knowledge
is received not only through required courses, but also through such diverse electives as offered
by most public schools. Child rearing, economical, single living, agricultural, lingual, and
artistic classes are just a few of the special interest courses students are able to select. These so
called real world classes offer real life training and develop morals to use common sense in the
present and future. Further knowledge is shaped by physical education, health and parenting
classes to emphasize the special responsibilities of families to schools and school-aged children,
free and open inquiry of science and history, and courses dealing with technology such as
computer literacy and by supporting thoughtful reform and innovation in local schools to
improve teaching and learning at all levels.
One of the largest and most effective benefits of public schooling is government funding.
The state provides for adequate school funding and equitable distribution of state funds. Public
schooling offers low cost education to all youth without personal bias and aids them in being able
to pursue knowledge. Taxpayers remain concerned for their children’s welfare and are able to
have a fair say in what we’re learning and how well schools today are equipped. New computers
and updated literature provide the facts needed to learn in an ever changing world. Helping to
finance local schools increases interest in referendums and other city programs for youth.
Encouraging after school activities and having paid advisors to supervise and develop skill puts
state money to good use. The discussions in which I participated notably included government
funding as a large resource for education, allowing everyone to learn.
The last major point I discovered in my research was innovation caused by the diversity
and social development through inter-racial exposure. Introducing students to diverse ethnic
groups allowed exposure to different individuals of various background. Teachers are
encouraging the use of curricula in all schools that reflect the role of the many racial and ethnic
groups in the history and culture of the United States as well as other countries. This interaction
prepares students for dealing with a differentiated world and jobs, and allows a view into other
cultures. Learning to deal with others unlike oneself provides the much needed interaction of
being able to accept other views and opinions then ones own. One girl I talked to expressed
disappointment and concern over attending a small private school where small class sizes ll of
the same ethnic group deprived her of experiencing diversity.
Overall, public schooling provides the afore mentioned benefits of low cost education,
inter-racial exposure, and the fundamentals of learning, as well as training for careers, becoming
motivated, being a good citizen, promotion of after school activities, and organizational skills.
Common sense and knowledge go hand in hand in aiding both young adults bound for college
and also the ones ready to enter the system and workforce and apply these skills. Our future rests
with our generation’s knowledge. We need to make sure we have every opportunity to succeed in
an ever changing world, and public schools are the first step.