What is the purpose of public school?

[DizBelle]

Just curious what the thoughts are....

 

[Chuck S]

One would hope it is to give kids a well-rounded education, expose them somewhat to educational experiences that may be outside their "normal experiences" (meaning exposing them to other cultures and points of view), give them social interaction so they learn to play nice/work well with others. All in all, prepare them for the diverse culture and experiences they will have as adults.

 

[monkey68]

Isn't the purpose of public school like any other school? To give kids an education. Not sure I understand what you're asking.

 

[MarkFL]

I hate this question. I've heard it in every education theory class I've taken. There is no right definition: it is purely subjective. Many people believe public schools should train students to be successful in the "real world". Some people think that the main purpose of public schools is to breed patriotism in our youth. And a few even believe that public schooling is just overrated daycare.

 

[DizBelle]

Isn't the purpose of public school like any other school? To give kids an education. Not sure I understand what you're asking.

My question was pretty open ended....

I think I'll leave it as it is for now and see where this thread goes.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[Nie0214]

... see where this thread goes.

Hopefully closed.

 

[DizBelle]

Hopefully closed.

Why?

This is a discussion board isn't it? What's wrong with a discussion on a discussion board?

 

[ols386]

Hopefully closed.

Why do you want it to be closed? Seems like it could lead to an interesting discussion.

 

[Nie0214]

Hopefully was the wrong word, since I don't really care myself. "Probably closed" is more accurate. I just see a brawl simming to erupt.

 

[merryweather20]

My question was pretty open ended....

I think I'll leave it as it is for now and see where this thread goes.

I agree with the other poster. What do you propose we do with small children during the day?

 

[Plantlady]

Some of our founding fathers felt education was very important. My fifth grade history needs to come back to me.

16 Years after the pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Harvard was found by the puritans who didn't want the churches to be lead by illiterate people. In the mid 1600's the government in Massachusetts declared that every town must have a grammar school, and all children would be required to go. I imagine, this would be for the same reason, the churches.

I think that was the basis for where it came from. People came to this country for religious freedom, but they felt you needed to be educated to run the churches successfully.

Hey, and I came up with that answer, based on a public school education!

 

[FayeW]

For centuries, only upper class male citizens were educated. Females were taught music, needlework, nice manners, and to look pretty. With the population of the colonies, the class system of education began to erode in the sense that it became apparent that the (new) communities at large would benefit from everyone being given access to at least the basics of the three R's...reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic.

Of course the class system is still alive and kicking, and since we couldn't have the children of the upper class mingling with mere common/working class children, pricey private schools flourished, as did the public school system for the "have nots".

So, to answer your question, the purpose of the public school system is to ensure access to at least the minimum standard of education for all citizens, regardless of social or economic status.

 

[DizBelle]

I agree with the other poster. What do you propose we do with small children during the day?

Are you assserting that the purpose of public school is day care?

 

[Feralpeg]

IMHO, the purpose of public schools is to give all children the opportunity to a well rounded education included exposure to the fundamentals of reading, writing, math, science, history as well as an opportunity to improve socialization skills that will benefit them throughout life.

 

[DizBelle]

I agree with the other poster. What do you propose we do with small children during the day?

Are you also asserting that public school is not for older children?

 

[DizBelle]

Hopefully was the wrong word, since I don't really care myself. "Probably closed" is more accurate. I just see a brawl simming to erupt.

I don't see anything wrong with a discussion among people with different opinions.

 

[chisnpeke]

One of my high school teachers said it is so people will be informed voters.

I think it is to create an educated society that gives everyone an equal opportunity.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

16 Years after the pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Harvard was found by the puritans who didn't want the churches to be lead by illiterate people. In the mid 1600's the government in Massachusetts declared that every town must have a grammar school, and all children would be required to go. I imagine, this would be for the same reason, the churches.

For centuries, only upper class male citizens were educated. Females were taught music, needlework, nice manners, and to look pretty.

Just finished helping my two fifth graders research a colonial history project.

Yes, generally only males went to school formally, and not for very long, usually.

If they were taught to read and write, girls were usually taught at home.

This varied regionally (with higher formal education rates in New England, given the many schools there at the time) and locally - city folk going to school more often than farm folk.

Children of colonial times were kept quite busy otherwise, didn't have much time for school as it was.

Some of this began to change during the American Revolution when women took on more roles that were traditionally men's.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I believe it was originally intentioned to remove the socio-economic boundaries that occur when one segment of the population has access to information and ideas that another segment does not. Certain jobs & professions demand a certain level of education. Those positions tend to have a higher pay scale due ever increasing limited supply of people capable of filling the roles. If everyone is given a hand up the entire society has a better chance at success. At least that's how I see it.

Some of our founding fathers felt education was very important. My fifth grade history needs to come back to me.

16 Years after the pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Harvard was found by the puritans who didn't want the churches to be lead by illiterate people. In the mid 1600's the government in Massachusetts declared that every town must have a grammar school, and all children would be required to go. I imagine, this would be for the same reason, the churches.

I think that was the basis for where it came from. People came to this country for religious freedom, but they felt you needed to be educated to run the churches successfully.

Hey, and I came up with that answer, based on a public school education!

I recently finished The 5000 Year Leap, and this issue was addressed in regards to what the founding fathers initially intended public schooling to encompass. This was specifically put forth in 1787, when Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance, which stated that the three important aspects were religion, morality and knowledge. Obviously the current mission statement of public education has evolved.