Originally Posted By: PandaBear
bigmike has some good points. However you have to understand that:
1) Private school don't cost $4k, at least not the typical ones everywhere. When I went 15 years ago they cost 5k for the cheaper ones, and now even if you want to pay full price at 20-40k a year you either have to have connections (attending mass, is a frequent charitable donor in fund raising events, alumni) or special talents (transfer recruit on scholarships, academic or athletic).
2) They don't accept everyone and the supply is always less than demand. Have you gotten detention because you haven't sold all of your fund raising raffle tickets? Have they ask you what religion are you in? Have they ask you to take an entrance exam? They are pretty much required and unless you are going to a private school that is worse than a public school, this is the norm.
3) The reason public school has to take "everyone" in the district is because it is an "unwritten" contract in your property tax. School district dominates the property value, and if the school district you're in only take the top 50% of the students, then your home is probably not going to worth as much, or more, depends on the neighborhood. People pay more or less what they want in the package that comes with the price they pay for the school.
Well, you're right in the point of cost. The cost differences between us are probably astronomical. I live in a low cost of living area and most of the people here are blue collar. I currently do IT work for a private school that charges less than 4k for the year. I know of several others in this range, but prices can vary greatly dependent upon the "prestige" viewed. Do I believe you get a better education in a more expensive school? That depends. I think there are qualified teachers and good curriculum at the one I work for but they may not have all the technological amenities that a school has that charges more to attend.
I know of several fund raisers that schools do, but never heard of punishment for not participating in them. I know for a fact that parents would not allow this. Entrance exams are done on occasion, but not mandatory at the school I work for. Some do mandatory testing. I don't see the problem with that. My point is, taxpayers are funding a school, irregardless if they gain any benefit from doing so. They may not have children or may opt to do some other form of education (home, private, etc.). Not only is this not fair and they do not get their money's worth, but they have very little say in how it is spent.
Another issue I have is public school, in my most honest opinion, has morphed into being nothing more than a glorified day-care with educational interest. There absolutely needs to be consequences to children not meeting certain standards. Private schools simply expel them or ask them not to return. It's been pointed out to me that this is not an option for public schools. I ask why not? Why isn't there an alternative for problematic attendees, other than dropping out, sending them home, or sending them to a "special" school? Why not a military school or trade school? When there are real consequences, things might change for the better, but until then it'll be business as usual and I'll wonder why my money goes to the school system.
Just for interest, I did go to public school for a few months in 1st grade. I knew how to read, write, etc. but the teacher complained that I was coloring outside the lines on coloring projects and that I was too competitive. Go figure.
