5 Major Differences Between Public and Private Schools
Preberi besedilo, potem pa označi, ali so spodnje trditve pravilne (T) ali napačne (F). / Read the text, then mark the statements below true (T) or false (F).
As the climate of education in the United States faces uncertainty, many families are starting to evaluate the best type of education for their children. A common comparison is that of public schools and private schools. As many public schools are facing budget cuts that lead to larger class sizes and fewer resources, many private schools are continuing to flourish. However, private school can be expensive.
Is it worth the investment? Find out if you should choose a private school over a public school, despite the added tuition fees. You might actually be able to afford it or if you can find ways to secure financial aid.
Here are some major questions that you should be asking yourself about the differences between public and private schools.
HOW LARGE ARE THE CLASS SIZES?
Class size is one of the major differences between public schools and private schools. The class size in urban public schools can be as large as 25-30 students (or more) while most private schools keep their class sizes closer to an average of 15 or 16 students. It’s important to note that some schools will publicize a student to teacher ratio, in addition to, or sometimes in place of, an average classroom size. The student to teacher ratio is not the same as the average classroom size, as the ratio often includes part-time teachers who may serve as tutors or substitutes, and sometimes the ratio even includes non-teaching faculty (administrators, coaches, dorm parents) who are part of students’ daily lives outside the classroom.
There are electives at some private schools with even fewer students, meaning that your child will receive personalized attention and the ability to contribute to classroom discussions that foster learning. Some schools have a Harkness Table, an oval-shaped table that began at Philips Exeter Academy to allow all the people at the table to look at each other during discussions.
Smaller class sizes also mean that teachers can give students longer and more complicated assignments, as the teachers don’t have as many papers to grade. For example, students at many academically challenging college-preparatory private schools write 10-15 page papers as juniors and seniors.
HOW ARE THE TEACHERS PREPARED?
While public school teachers always need to be certified, private school teachers often don’t need formal certification. Nevertheless, many are experts in their fields or have master’s or even doctoral degrees. While it is very difficult to remove public school teachers, private school teachers generally have contracts that are renewable each year.
HOW WELL DOES THE SCHOOL PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE OR POST-HIGH SCHOOL LIFE?
While many public schools do a good job of preparing students for college, many do not. For example, a recent study found that even A-rated public schools in New York City have remediation rates of over 50% for their graduates who attend the City University of New York. Most college-preparatory private schools do a thorough job of preparing their graduates to succeed in college, however, this too varies based on the individual school.
WHAT ATTITUDE DO THE STUDENTS TAKE TO THEIR WORK?
In part, because private schools often have selective admissions processes, they are able to choose students who are highly motivated.
Many private school students want to learn, and your child will be surrounded by students who regard academic achievement as desirable.
WILL THE SCHOOL OFFER OTHER SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE MEANINGFUL FOR MY CHILD?
Because private schools don’t have to follow state laws about what to teach, they can offer specific programs. For example, parochial schools can offer religion classes while special-education schools can offer remedial and counseling programs to help their students. Many private school students simply attend school for more hours in the day than do public school students because private schools offer after-school programs and a longer schedule. Many private schools also offer specialized programs in areas of interest to the students, such as arts, music, or sports.
1 The Government does not invest in public schools as much as it used to. T/F
2 You must pay tuition fee in public schools. T/F
3 Class sizes are bigger in cities than in the countryside. T/F
4 A publicized student to teacher ratio is the same as a publicized class size. T/F
5 Public school students write longer essays. T/F
6 Private school teachers do not need to have the same qualifications as public school teachers. T/F
7 Students who have attended public school are as successful at university as those from private schools. T/F
8 Public schools can offer religious classes. T/F
9 Private school students have a longer schoolday compared to public schools. T/F
(Adapted from thought.co on 23 January 2017)
