Message #281772

[Ace]

I've passed through twelve years of public school and do not feel as if my education is lesser or greater than that of a home- or private-schooled pupil. I had many teachers that I enjoyed, a few who I dreaded going to class to. Public schools certainly aren't perfect by any use of the word. It is, however, hard to throw blame on any one aspect of it in particular. As the son of a man who has worked in many tiers of the system for more than thirty years, I have been able to see inside district offices and talked to the people who work there - if they do their jobs well, you never learn their names; if they do poorly, you hear about them, one way or another.

The administrator's egos often get in the way of doing jobs right. Teachers are often answering more to their union benefits than the children they teach. Students are often mired by poor influences at home, apathy, or are simply different learners that the schools are not keen on teaching well.

For better or for worse, public school prepares you for every echelon of society that you will undoubtedly run in to. It is an imperfect institution that is the only option of schooling for many parents. I graduated with my wits and intelligence intact, enough to be accepted into the college of my choice, and I couldn't be happier.