Public Education

Public education…where to begin? There is a lot of debate over public education these days. Should it be offered? Is it the best thing for students? Does it reap the benefits of all the tax money put towards it? Public education is offered to all children by the government, provided by an institution of civil government, and paid for by taxes. Public education includes elementary school, middle school, high school, and public universities and colleges. In most, but definitely not all, cases private schools are said to offer a better education than public schools. While public schools rely on taxpayers, private schools rely on tuition and donations of its students, and therefore are able to hire more teachers, build nicer facilities, and provide more resources for students. For those of us who cannot afford a private education or who choose not to attend a private school, we are left slumming it in a school with a government-employed faculty and government-created curriculum. This might just be me, but I am perfectly content and happy with that.

Public education is very different from private education. Some students perform better in a quiet, more private atmosphere while other students perform better in a larger, more diverse atmosphere. The important thing for me is that a student is receiving the best education possible. Many public schools are unable to offer a first-class education, so in this case, it might be best to attend a private school if that is available. Private education offers a more one-on-one setting with a smaller student-to-teacher ratio. For the areas that offer a good public education, attending a public school could be just as good as a private school.

I have two little brothers and one of them attends a public school and the other attends a private school. They were both in the same public elementary school before my parents decided to switch my youngest brother to a private school. Their decision was not based on the education that my brother was receiving, but on the atmosphere that he was in at his public school. He was put in a bad learning environment because his class was a complete madhouse and the teacher was unable to control it. He learning was impacted by this and he started hating school. Once they made the switch, he began to like school again and he was able to be in a much better learning environment. The private school was not better because it offered a better education than the public school; it was better because it offered a better environment for my little brother.

Johns Creek High School and other schools in Fulton County are a prime example of what great things a public education can offer. Schools in Fulton County feature some of the brightest students and greatest teachers. Our schools are able to run smoothly because administrations, teachers, and students work hard to make it the best it can be. If people are willing to put in the effort, public schools and a public education can be as good, if not better, than a private.