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Center On Education Policy:
In addition to preparing young people for productive work and fulfilling lives, public education has also been expected to accomplish certain collective missions aimed at promoting the common good.
These include, among others, preparing youth to become responsible citizens, forging a common culture from a nation of immigrants, and reducing inequalities in American society.
Most current efforts to reform public education have focused on increasing students' academic achievement---without a doubt, a central purpose of schooling.
Throughout the publication, quotations from the nation's founders and other historical figures illustrate how early advocates of public education linked public schools to the common good.
Public schools educate the vast majority of U.S. students and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Public schools are accessible in all parts of the country, including areas where few or no private schools exist.
education voted, compared with 56% of high school graduates and 78% of college graduates.
Preparing students for citizenship is also critical because studies suggest that young people have an inadequate degree of basic civics knowledge.
Both public and private schools contribute to the nation's well-being.
But Americans expect public schools to do more than private schools to address social problems.
Unlike private schools, public schools are expected to have programs to feed low-income children, provide before- and after-school care, prevent substance abuse and violence, and address health issues.
At a time when a significant number of children live in poverty and many communities suffer from a range of social problems, the need is as great as ever for a strong public education system.
Posted on January 25, 2007 02:44 AM
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