Public

In Canada, the education system encompasses both publicly-funded and private schools. It is the responsibility of each individual province to manage their own education system, which includes setting standards and drawing up curricula for their region which is why there are such significant differences throughout the country in the systems. Canada has always prided herself in maintaining high standards of education and access. This is because Canadians have always placed a high priority on the quality of education available for their children. It is reported that Canada spends more per capita on its education than any other country in the G-7 (group of seven major countries, including the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Canada and Italy). In the past few years, however, parents have voiced their concerns over the quality of public education in provinces around the country. Many parents are becoming increasingly disappointed with the loss of programs and activities that once made Canadian schools outstanding. This has led to an increase in enrollment in private educational facilities, private tutoring and also in-home schooling. Parents are discovering that in order to ensure their child receives the benefits of a suitable education, they must first do a little research. Public vs. Private Education "My daughter attended public school from kindergarten to grade three," recalls Diane Wolf of Peterborough, Ont. "Then private school from grades three to eight and a Separate School Board high school." Wolf, who worked as a French teacher, has three children and has seen the workings of all the school systems available in her area. "My son attended public school, then private school and has been home schooled since grade two," says Wolf. "I was not particularly happy with the public school system. I felt that they made a lot of decisions for the children without consulting with our values." Education in Canada consists of three territorial systems public schools, private schools and separate (denominational) schools. Mostly Roman Catholic, the separate schools accounted for about one-quarter of Canada's public school enrollment in 1995. The separate schools offer a complete parochial curriculum from kindergarten through the secondary level in most of the Canadian provinces. All private schools are registered with the Ministry of Education in their province or territory. Families have the option of choosing schools that are boys only, girls only or co-educational. There are many private schools that offer full boarding programs. As with the separate schools, many of the private schools adhere to a specific religious faith. "I sent my children to a private Christian school because I knew that they would be taught well academically, as well as being taught our value system, which is based on Christian principles and God's word," says Wolf. "The school promoted values such as respect for parents and authority, kindness to other children and a character of honesty and integrity." Wolf's children attended all the various school systems, and in the end, Wolf decided she was the best one to teach her children. "My children preferred private schools over public schools," says Wolf. "But as I was teaching other children and giving all my energy to other people's kids, I decided just to teach my own. My youngest was struggling in grade one and needed individual attention." Do Your Homework Wolf says she noticed during the last two years that programs were suffering in the schools. She has seen schools cancel all their extracurricular programs. This has given parents more reason to do their homework on their school of choice. "We had our hearts set on private school for our girls," says Alina Kelly, a mom from Toronto, Ont. "St. Clements Girls School was a prep school we wanted our girls to start their education out in." Kelly, like all mothers of young children, wanted to ensure that her children were getting the very best education that they could from the start. What they soon discovered was that their school of choice came with a very long waiting list. "St. Clements gets five or six applicants for every one space available for grade one," says Kelly. "We soon came to realize we might be out in the cold." Kelly decided to do some intense research into the public school system in their area to see what it had to offer. She spoke directly with parents, educators and friends who taught in both the public and the private school systems. "I discovered that there are a number of very fine public schools in Toronto," says Kelly. "Most are located in the very fine neighbourhoods where houses start at a price of $500,000. The school board strictly adheres to school area boundaries. We don't currently live in a 'choice' school district." The local school that was in their district had very low statistics, according to Kelly's research. She was discouraged at the number of children who did not speak English as much as 75 percent of the class. Socially Speaking Kelly was told by several teachers that it was important, primarily in the early years, to give a child a sense of community around his school experience. This gave Kelly even more reason to consider public education. "Attending private school, my daughter would miss this opportunity," says Kelly. "Her friends would all live hither and yon." What Kelly did discover in her search was that the French Immersion schools in her district were consistently rated at a higher level. She also discovered that there was a good deal to recommend French Immersion. The statistics have shown that Senior Kindergarten enrollment French Immersion nets a child who "thinks" in French and later nets a child who translates in French. It was then that Kelly learned that entry into the SK French Immersion in the public school system is by lottery. Lucky for Kelly, they applied and "won the lottery" and are all set for enrollment for their first daughter. She is pleased with their choice, but will have to consider options as she reaches middle school age. "The main benefit of public school in the early years is stability being able to go to school in the same neighbourhood that your friends live in," says Kelly. "The main benefit of private school is that you go to a school with the future captains of industry. One of the educators I spoke with suggested that you can get both by enrolling your child in a private high school." Bridging the Gap Over the past five years, there has been a Canada-wide trend toward supplemental education. Many parents are losing faith in the public school system, but not all are equipped to handle the high costs of a private education for their child. There are supplemental programs available for parents who must rely on the public system. These year-round, individualized programs offer students the opportunity to focus on strengthening important skills such as reading or math skills. This helps children become independent learners and builds their self-esteem. Many of the programs are reporting a substantial increase in enrollment, including Kumon Math and Reading Centres. At Kumon, the overall enrollment has increased by 42 percent with a total of a 27 percent increase in math enrollment and 104 percent increase in reading enrollment. In Canada, there are a total of 339 Kumon centres with enrollment reaching as high as 38,000. Education is a huge decision for parents, and being aware of all the options available to your family is the key to success. Private vs Public Education http://www.topprivateschools.ca/article.asp'article_id=1 With drastic cuts in provincial funding to education and emerging criticism of the public system, more parents are turning to private schools than ever before. But what are the real differences between private and public schools, and which is the right choice for your child' The most obvious difference is cost, which can range from $4,000 to $26,000 per year for private day-schooling in Ontario. In addition, many private schools require students to purchase textbooks, and in some schools, even special computers. Another difference: many private schools offer an alternative approach to education, whereas public schools are intended to cater to all students. The Montessori model, for example, focuses on respect for the student and the development of self-confidence, while the Waldorf model emphasizes a holistic approach to learning. Parents can choose a learning philosophy that best meets their child’s educational needs. And with 885 private schools registered with the Ministry of Education in Ontario, there is plenty of choice. But the alternative education trend is also becoming popular in the public system, which is looking to enhance its competitiveness with the increase in private school enrolment over the past 40 years. A number of small alternative public schools are sprouting within Toronto. For example, the East Alternative School of Toronto, established in 1996, emphasizes the arts, social justice and critical thinking. Public school boards require stringent qualifications and regular testing for teachers. In the private sector, however, schools are not bound by these requirements. Some teachers in the private system do not have the provincially required bachelor’s of education, but may hold master’s or PhD degrees in their area of speciality. While some insist on the importance of provincial standards for teachers, others say private schools have greater freedom to hire "the best person for the job." Another difference observed by some parents is that private schools have a stronger commitment to “customer service.” Smaller class sizes, individualized attention, and openness to parental involvement are benefits that tend to come with paying for tuition. Some parents also find that private schools tend to offer students a clear value system, which can be missing in the public system. Many private schools pride themselves on shaping students into well-rounded individuals, in addition to ensuring their academic success. Boarding schools in particular are geared toward developing self-confidence, independence and life-skills. Moreover, private schools can be more university-oriented than public schools. Many parents will choose a private school based on the acceptance rates and post-secondary destinations of graduating students. As a result, private schools take the university counselling and application process very seriously. According to a recent study by the Fraser Institute, students at private schools experience lower incidences of bullying, fighting, theft, drug use and racism. This may be because private schools get to pick and choose students with entrance exams and interviews, while public schools do not have this option. But it can’t be said that these problems don’t exist within private schools – it comes down in every situation to the individual student and the choices they were taught to make. A common criticism of private schools is that they can be elitist and homogenous. While it was once true that private schools were the exclusive domain of the white and the wealthy, many now have well-funded bursary and scholarship programs to assist families with more moderate incomes. Private schools now host more diverse student populations, including increasing numbers of students from overseas. Some schools, such as Bayview Glen, even boast multiculturalism as one of their founding principles. The bottom line is that each student is unique, and all schools, public and private, have unique strengths and offerings. It’s important to explore the many options, and to closely examine curriculum, extra-curricular opportunities, career counselling and student body, in order to make the right choice for your child. http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/5 Factors affecting Private versus Public school decisions   Public schools are schools that are provided by state and federal funding. Ninety percent of the children today in America attend public school. Private schools include both parochial schools and non-parochial schools. According to a special report published by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2002, in 1999–2000, approximately 27,000 private schools accounted for 24 percent of all schools in the US and 12 percent of all full-time-equivalent teachers. Clearly, there are many more public schools that provide education to American students than their private counterparts.   Usually when considering private versus public school, parents will have one or more factors that concern them. When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play:   * Academic reputation and college preparation * School size and Class size * Safety reputation * Special programs * Costs * Religious and Moral instruction * Location * Ideology   Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools. School systems vary greatly in their academic reputation. For as many wonderful public schools that exist, there are also those that perform under the bar. Unfortunately for most families, children must go to the public school that their home is zoned in. Usually there is a perceived or statistically supported issue with a public school’s academic record that flags a parent’s concern and willingness to move their child into a private school.     Private schools usually have a more rigorous academic reputation. But within the public school system, Charter Schools and Magnet schools both blur the distinction between public and private schools. Related to the academic reputation is the focus of the school on college preparation. Within the public school system, the percent of children that go on to college differs depending on the location of the school. You can’t lump all the schools together. However, you can look at the school’s overall focus and whether it is on college preparation or not (and whether that is your shared focus).     School Size and Class Size can be correlated to a school’s ability to execute on its academic goals. Basically, when a school gets too big, it can become burdensome to administer. Students and programs may fall into the cracks. But a school that is too small may not have enough money to support specialized programs. Class size is another factor that parents will look into when considering private or public school. How many children will the classroom teacher be responsible' What is the overall student to teacher ratio' Usually, the smaller the class size, the more attention each individual student will receive.     Safety at school and the general school environment is another factor that parents use to decide whether or not to keep their children in public school or move them into private school. Many public schools have perfectly safe environments, yet in some school districts, children may be safer in private schools. Some of this may have to do with the fact that private schools may pick and choose who they enroll, therefore keeping their classroom milieu safer.    Special programs impact parents in two different ways when considering private versus public schooling. Because public schools have a responsibility to teach all students, public schools often have in place special programs for children with special needs (whether it is academically or mentally). Private schools, while they may have special programs for gifted students, will rarely have programs for children with special needs unless that is what the private school specializes in. There are also other kinds of special programs, for example, ones that specialize in the arts. Military, boarding, and single-sex programs are usually only found in a private setting.    Cost is another important factor that impacts the private school versus public school decision. Simply put, private schools charge tuition whereas public schools are offered free of charge. For many parents, this is the hardest factor with which to come to terms.     A factor that plays a large role in parents deciding whether to send their children to public or private school is whether or not they want religious and or moral instruction to play a part of their children’s academic setting. Overall, religious and moral instruction does not play a part of public schooling.    Location is as important a factor as any other when considering whether to enroll your children in a public school or a private school. For public schools, you are either within the zoning district of the public school you want or not. If you are, then you don’t need to worry about anything. If you aren’t, you’ll need to consider whether relocating your family is desirable and feasible in order to get your children enrolled in your public school of choice. For private schools, you’ll need to consider if the location is feasible for your family. Public schools provide transportation to and back from schools. Private schools may or may not.     Finally, for many families, a final factor that impacts their decision making process is their ideology regarding private schools or public schools, classism, elitism, etc. Parents are not usually on the fence about this factor. They either believe that going to private school is okay or they believe that going to a public school is better in the theoretical sense.    Private and Public School Statistics     Now that we understand some of the main factors that families consider when deciding whether to enroll their children in private or public school, let’s look at the facts. Here are statistics on both private and public schools in America:    * Academic Programs   Public schools offer a general program, designed for all. This usually includes math, English, reading, writing, science, history and physical education. In addition, many public schools offer programs in music and art too. What students learn is decided by the state. In most states, learning is measured through standardized tests. The content and minimum achievement criteria in each course offered in public high schools are put forward by the state and each student must achieve this minimum criterion before receiving credit. The charter school movement is also picking up momentum in many states; these schools are public, but offer specialized programs and smaller classes. There are not that many charter schools in the United States. According to the Center for Education Reform, there are approximately 3,400 public charter schools in America as of 2005. Charter schools are often closed if their students do not show academic progress. According to a report by educationnext.org, there were 3,100 magnet schools in America as of 2001/2002.    Private schools have the flexibility to create specialized programs for students. For example, private schools may use art or science in all classes, or take children on outdoor trips. They can create their own curriculum and assessment systems, although many choose to use standardized tests. Many parents are drawn to the alternative curriculums that private schools have to offer.    Private school students generally perform higher than their public school counterparts on standardized achievement tests. As with earlier results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), private school students performed higher than public school students on the NAEP: 2000 tests. Their average scores were above those of public school students on the 4th-grade reading test and on the 4th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade science and mathematics proficiency tests.    Private high schools typically have more demanding graduation requirements than do public high schools. Compared with public schools, private schools required more coursework (in 4-year high school programs) in 1999–2000 in social studies, mathematics, science, foreign language, and computer science. For example private schools required on average 3.1 years of mathematics, while public schools required 2.7 years. The figures for foreign language study also differed: 1.5 years at private schools but 0.5 years at public schools. In addition, about 40 percent of private schools required some form of community service for high school graduation, four times the rate for public schools (10 percent).    Private school students are more likely than public school students to complete a bachelor’s or advanced degree by their mid-20s. Data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988, "Fourth Follow-up" (NELS: 1988/2000) show that students who had attended private school in 8th grade were twice as likely as those who had attended public school to have completed a bachelor’s or higher degree by their mid-20s (52 versus 26 percent) and far less likely to not complete a post-secondary education.    * School Financial Support System    Public schools depend on government funds (local, state, and federal) and occasionally on funds from corporations and organizations.    Private schools depend mainly on tuition fees and funds coming from non-public sources such as religious organizations, endowments, grants and charitable donations. Private schools can participate in federal breakfast and lunch programs, but they usually don’t need to.     * School Size    Public schools are, on average, at least twice the size of private schools, according to US Department of Education Data. School size usually correlates to the population density of the local area. The average private school had 193 students in 1999–2000. The average public school had 535 students in the same area. Another way to look at this is to see that 80percent of private schools have less than 300 students enrolled while only 29percent of public schools have less than 300 students enrolled.    While smaller school size may be correlated to a more controlled academic setting, the flip side is that there is strength in numbers. Small schools, have some disadvantages as well such as providing a narrower set of programs and services. The smallest high schools may not be able to offer advanced courses because they have too few students, a shortage of qualified teachers, or both.    Larger schools can often be set up to support specific groups within their student population (such as those requiring English as a Second Language targeted help). Overall, research is debatable over whether a smaller school size is correlated with a better academic setting.    * Class Size    Average class size in public schools is larger than private schools. Many states recognize the value of small classes and have provided funding to keep class sizes small in grades K-3. As students become older, class size tends to get bigger in public schools, especially in large school districts and urban schools. On average, private schools have smaller average class sizes and lower student/teacher ratios than public schools. The average class size reported by teachers was larger in public schools than in private. Teachers in Catholic schools had an average of 23 students in their classes. For public schools, teachers have an average of 24 students per class.    Another aspect besides the actual class size is the student/teacher ratio. This is different from the actual classroom head count because a school may have extra teachers that help set up programs or help with special coursework. Private schools average 13 students per teacher, compared with an average of 16 students per teacher in public schools. Another way to look at this is to see how many schools have a student/teacher ratio less than 10. Thirty-six percent of private schools have a student/teacher ratio lower than 10 to 1.   Only 10 percent of public schools have student/teacher ratios lower than 10 to 1.If you feel your child would learn better in a smaller setting, then you’ll need to look towards private school. If, however, you child works well in larger groups, public school may be the way to go.     * Quality of teachers    Teachers in public schools are state certified, which means that they have gone through the training required by the state including student teaching and coursework. They are required to hold college degrees and to be licensed by the state.   Public schools cannot terminate the terms of their teachers abruptly. After completing a probationary period, teachers are granted tenure by law. They cannot be dismissed without first going through a twelve-month rehabilitation period. This too, can only be done after a public hearing in which charges of incompetence or misconduct must be proven.    On the other hand, private school teachers may not be required to have certification, and often have subject area expertise and a degree in the subject they teach. Private schools have their own personnel requirements. Private schools can terminate the terms of their teachers abruptly. Schools are free to deal with personnel matters.    * Level of Education    Most schools—61 percent of private and 71 percent of public—were elementary. Ten percent of private schools and 25 percent of public schools were secondary. Finally, a higher proportion of private schools (30 percent) combined education levels (usually grades K–12 or 1–12), compared with only 4 percent of public schools. Usually public schools are broken out due to their size.    If having your child around kids that are much older or younger bothers you, you may have an easier time finding a public school that meets your needs than a private school.    * Special needs   Another aspect that needs attention is regarding children with special needs. Special education laws make it mandatory for public schools to educate and meet the special needs of these children. Therefore, most of the public schools have special programs and teachers for these students. Public school systems often will have specialized schools to support children with multiple special needs.    Private schools on the other hand, have no such obligation; most private schools do not have special education programs or teachers. However, there are private schools that cater specially to special needs.    If your child has a special need, you’ll need to research your options to determine whether public or private school best suits your child at this time.    * Obligations    Public schools are obligated by law to educate all children, so to enroll in a public school you simply register your child by filling out the necessary forms. Public schools must accept any resident student who applies for admission, regardless of sex, race, religious affiliation, economic status or physical or mental handicap. Public schools must also meet state graduation requirements, which vary state by state. Public schools can kick children out if their behavior is too disruptive; but the public school system will usually have in place an alterative school that the child will attend until they are no longer under the care of the public (18 years of age).    Private schools are not obligated by any laws regarding admission. Therefore, private school admission is competitive. Also, private schools are not required to provide educational programs for children with special needs. Private schools are also under no obligation to keep a student enrolled. If a child’s behavior disrupts the school’s milieu, they can be kicked out. Another scenario to keep in mind is that if a child’s academic progress is not acceptable, they may be kicked out as well. Graduation requirements for private schools are decided by each school and are not subject to any state requirements. Many private schools do choose to align themselves with private school associations which will mandate graduation requirements.    * School admissions   In public schools, all students are admitted. In private schools, students must apply and then are invited to enroll.   * Cost    Cost is another important factor that helps in deciding the type of school parents want to send their children to. State Constitutions prohibits public schools from charging residents any form of tuition or other fees for materials, supplies, textbooks or transportation.    On the other hand, private schools do not receive tax revenues but are funded through tuition, donations and private grants. Therefore, private schools cost more than the public schools. According to National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition fee for private day schools in the United States is close to $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $13,000 for grades 6 to 8 and $15,000 for grades 9 to 12. The median tuition fee for boarding schools is $12,000 for grades 1 to 3, $27,000 for grades 6 to 9, and $28,000 for grades 9 to 12. Fees in parochial schools are a little less. Another study found that parochial schools cost $4,200 a year while other private schools charge $8,500 per student.    One thing to consider however, is the location of public schools. That is, better funded public schools are usually found where the average housing costs are higher than in neighboring zip codes. That said, although public school is free, you may find yourself paying more out of pocket to live in a specific school zone.    * Support services   Public schools are required to provide academic and health-related services under Federal and state laws. More schools provide extended-day programs. Free and reduced-price meals must be provided to all qualified low-income students.   Private schools are permitted, but not required, to participate in the federal lunch and breakfast programs.   * Religious affiliation    Not all but many private schools are religiously affiliated. Public schools are not religiously affiliated. In a study of private schools in 1999-2000, seventy-nine percent of all private schools were found to have a religious affiliation. Thirty percent were affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and 49 percent with other religious groups. The remaining 22 percent were nonsectarian. Although Catholic schools accounted for 30 percent of the total number of private schools, they enrolled 48 percent of all private school students. Public schools do not have a religious affiliation.   * Location    Most private schools were located primarily in central cities (42 percent) and the urban fringe or large towns (40 percent). Only 18 percent of private schools were found in rural areas. In contrast, 24 percent of all public schools were in central city locations, 45 percent in the urban fringe or large towns, and 31 percent in rural areas.   * Demographic characteristics of students   Student populations vary on race/ethnicity, and limited-English proficiency status.    In 1999–2000, 77 percent of all private school students were White, compared with 63 percent of all public school students. The private school sector as a whole had lower proportions of Black and Hispanic students than the public school sector as a whole.    Public schools were more likely than private schools to have any minority students in 1999–2000, as well as to have high concentrations of minority students (more than 30 percent). Although many private schools had a racially diverse student body, about 14 percent had no minority students, compared with only 4 percent of public schools.    Private schools are less likely than public schools to enroll students who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program. The eligibility rate for the National School Lunch Program is a reasonable proxy for the incidence of school poverty in public schools but a less reliable measure in private schools. Approximately 25 percent of private school respondents in 1999–2000 did not know whether any of their students were eligible. Virtually all public schools (99 percent) had students eligible for subsidized lunches, about twice the percentage for private schools (49 percent). Among schools participating in the subsidized lunch program, 42 percent of students at public schools and 10 percent at private schools, on average, were eligible.   * Governance    Public schools are governed by local, state, and federal laws including specifics about funding, program development and curriculum. Public schools are required to operate for a minimum of 180 days as per the compulsory attendance law. In addition, public school teachers must be employed for at least 16 days beyond the school term.    Private schools are not subject to as many state and federal regulations as public schools. They are not subject to the limitations of state education budgets and have more freedom in designing curriculum and instruction. Private schools are required to operate for a minimum of 170 days as per compulsory attendance law. There is no regulation on employing a private school teacher beyond the school term.   * Teacher’s Impact and Perception    For most teaching practices—selecting teaching techniques, evaluating and grading students, disciplining students, choosing course content and skills to teach, and selecting textbooks and materials—private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to report having a lot of influence on school policymaking.    In four areas of school policy linked closely with teaching—establishing curriculum, setting student performance standards, setting discipline policy, and evaluating teachers—the sector differences were substantial. For example, 68 percent of private school teachers said they had a lot of influence on establishing curriculum, compared with 44 percent of public school teachers. In addition, private school teachers were more likely than public school teachers to say that they had a lot of influence on setting student performance standards (63 versus 38 percent) and on student discipline policy (48 versus 30 percent).   Conclusion   In conclusion, you will find that there is no overall right or wrong answer regarding whether private or public school education is best for children today. The best thing to do when making this decision is to consider the factors and weigh which ones are important to you. Many people are so polarized around the option of having a religious affiliation that this may be the only thing important to you. For others, the costs of private school rule it out outright for them.    In addition to working out what is important to you, you’ll need to arm yourself with real numbers and information regarding the public and private schools that you are considering for your children. Go to the schools and get numbers. Finally, start early. Most private schools begin their open house and enrollment processes the year before the school year. Don’t wait until summer to consider where to place your child.    http://www.essortment.com/advantages-private-schools-vs-public-schools-39827.html Is public school really good enough for your child' Take a look at what private schools have to offer and make an informed decision. There is a growing controversy in our country regarding education in private schools vs. public schools. What is the difference really' Private schools have a great deal to offer and are able to implement more programs and hire better teachers due to the fact that they have more money in their school systems garnered by student tuitions. Should every child go to private school' Probably not, but your child might benefit if he seems to be getting lost in the shuffle of public schools. Private schools can offer a smaller student to teacher ratio than public schools simply because of the fact that there are less students in these schools. The majority of students attend local public schools. As the public schools become more and more crowded, many families are choosing the smaller private schools to gain more one on one attention for their children from the teachers. Private schools also offer more accelerated, college focused courses and are more intent on honing their students to go to college. Public schools often have the philosophy that each student is different and college isn't for everyone, and students are not pushed in that direction, though they may choose to strive for it on their own. Many public schools which are located in affluent areas can be just as focused and have just as much money as private schools, it is in the city areas where the most difference can be seen. It is necessary to judge for yourself: look carefully at your public school and your child. If your child is one that seems to need more attention from teachers or is floundering in a class that is too large, you may want to consider private school simply for the attention that he needs. Private schools also generally have lower incidences of drugs, violence and drop outs, most likely due to the increased level of dedication of parents who send their child to private schools to have every advantage. Though private schools can be quite costly, there is more and more legislation moving towards school vouchers where families could take the tax dollars that would be directed toward a public school education and use it for private school tuition. Not everyone can afford private school and so families who have lost faith in public schools are beginning to homeschool. There has been a great surge towards homeschooling in recent years as families begin to take control and refuse to let their children be ruined by the "˜veal farm' that many public schools have become, turning out children who are just scraping by or simply dropping out. In general, private schools are more focused and dedicated to the education of children. Teachers in private schools often earn more and can be more dedicated when working with parents who are as equally dedicated to their children. Study the schools in your area carefully and decide if you can afford a private school. Your school is an investment in your child's future and not a decision to be made lightly. http://www.iedm.org/fr/node/2394 Private schools are leading the way in Quebec National Post, p. A-15 One-third of Montreal's secondary school students are enrolled in private schools. Among anglophone students, the proportion is more than 40%. But it is not just in Quebec's largest city that parents choose private schooling. The province leads the nation in private school enrolment. When all grade levels are counted, more than 10% of the province's students go to private schools and, in the secondary grades, more than 17%. Only in British Columbia do private school enrolments approach Quebec's levels. Parents have registered their preference for academically high-performing schools by voting with their children's feet. Since 1999, private school enrolments have risen by more than 11% while public school enrolments have fallen by almost 4%. Why do more and more Quebec families choose private schools' Certainly, some do so because they want their children to be educated within the context of a particular religion. Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Adventist schools are found among Quebec's private schools. Other families prefer a school that offers a particular way of teaching, such as the Montessori method, while still others require a school that serves their child's special needs. But all parents want their children to do well in school. While public schools make excuses for poor student performance, the private schools deliver what they promise: academic success. In the recently released fifth edition of the Fraser Institute's Report Card on Quebec's Secondary Schools, 86 of the top 100 schools ranked were private. The Report Card assigns each school an overall rating out of 10 on the basis of academic performance. This year, private schools enjoyed an average rating of 7.9 out of 10. Public schools managed an average of just 5.6. The private-school sector could perhaps take on greater challenges, considering its success in Quebec. Though several of these private schools serve students with specific physical and learning disabilities, very few of them have taken up the challenges posed by that large group of kids that the public schools find it so hard to deal with: kids from poor neighbourhoods, the children of recent immigrant families from less-developed countries, aboriginal children and those in small rural towns. Quebec can bring to bear the zeal and entrepreneurship characteristic of private organizations to help these kids succeed. The private sector should lead, because the public schools can't or won't. In part, the failure of public schools to adequately address the needs of the province's under-served students is the result of attitude. Consider the public schools' reaction to the annual Report Card. Rather than consulting it as a valuable source of opportunities for improvement, public school officials more often counter its release with attempts to convince people that public schools are outstanding in spite of the Report Card's evidence to the contrary. Last year, the Centrale des syndicats du Québec, a labour federation that counts among its union membership over 100,000 teachers, launched a public relations campaign. Its strategy was to assure parents of the effectiveness of public schools by placing large, colourful banners above the entrances of some 600 of the province's elementary schools. Each banner displayed the slogan, "Public Education. It is incomparable." The unions were on the offensive again this year, supplying their members with thousands of postcards that were to be sent to the editor of L'actualite magazine. The postcards demanded that the magazine stop publishing the Report Card data. Yet the public schools continue to record below-average performance. Quebec should move to encourage its private-school sector to take on the new and important challenge of helping all children succeed at school, regardless of their family background and personal characteristics. Here's what the Ministry of Education can do to encourage the schools in this enterprise. At present, the province operates a voucher system that partially finances private schools. The ministry authorizes both public and private schools to offer education according to the provincial curriculum. However, it provides only about 60% of the per-pupil public-school operating grant to a private school when it enrols a student. To encourage private schools to serve more disadvantaged and at-risk students, the ministry should offer the full per-student operating grant to private schools that accept any student who applies for admission, regardless of his or her current level of academic ability. These non-selective private schools will challenge the popular notion – expressed so often by the education establishment whenever Fraser Institute Report Cards come out – that what goes on in schools doesn't really make much difference; that rich kids will do well and poor kids will do poorly and that's just the way it is. It doesn't have to be true. Let Quebec's private schools show us that all kids can learn and in Quebec's new private, non-selective schools, all kids will learn http://education-portal.com/articles/Public_Schools_vs._Private_Schools:_New_Study_Says_There_is_No_Difference.html Public Schools Vs. Private Schools: New Study Says There Is No Difference oct. 12, 2007 Many people assume that students enrolled in private schools perform better academically than do students attending public schools. The Center on Education Policy (CEP), however, disagrees. According to a new CEP study released this week, private school students and public school students perform equally on achievement tests in math, reading, science, and history. Public Schools Versus Private Schools Achievement | Advantage | Reading | Equal | Mathematics | Equal | Science | Equal | History | Equal | SAT Math | Private Schools | SAT Verbal | Private Schools | College Enrollment | Equal | Source: Center for Education Policy To determine whether or not family involvement or background characteristics impacted the difference in academic performance between private schools and public schools, the Center for Education Policy (CEP) did a special study based on analysis of the National Educational Longitudinal Study (1988-2000). They found that there is no real difference between the academic performance given by public and private school students from the same low-income bracket and background, suggesting that family involvement has more of an impact than the school setting. Summary of CEP Findings * Low-income students attending public high schools performed just as well academically as low-income students attending private high schools. * Neither private school students nor public school students with similar background characteristics were more likely to attend college. * Young adults at age 26 who attended private school are no more likely to be engaged in civic activities than young adults who attended a public school. * Private school graduates aren't any more satisfied with the jobs they hold at age 26 than are public school graduates. 'Contrary to popular belief, we can find no evidence that private schools actually increase student performance,' stated Jack Jennings, the president and CEO of CEP. 'Instead, it appears that private schools simply have higher percentages of students who would perform well in any environment based on their previous performance and background.' What sets the CEP study apart from other studies that have compared private school students to public school students is that the CEP study used an additional range of factors, including earlier test scores, parental expectations, parental involvement, and the effects of income. Other studies have typically relied on academic test scores alone. The one difference that CEP found between private schools and public schools involves SAT scores. According to the study, private school students have the edge on the SAT. The CEP notes that this could be because private schools tend to offer more test prep resources than do public schools. http://www.ourkids.net/private-schools-versus-public-schools.php Private Schools Vs. Public Schools You want to give your child the best but you also have income constraints to think of. So how do you choose between private schools versus public schools' Put another way, how do you decide private education is really worth it' Here’s a rundown of issues pertaining to private schools vs. public schools in North America: Private school tuition vs. public school taxes Everyone pays taxes, so you are already supporting the public school system. Why pay for both, you might ask yourself' The fact is that in numerous provinces and states, you can get tax breaks when you send your child to private school over a public school. This tax break can come in many different forms depending on what state or province you are in. Most private school parents view the “dollars and cents question” as a materialistic reduction. For example, for Jewish or Christian parents, a private school that bolsters religious faith offers something invaluable. Parents of Waldorf or Montessori school students feel much the same. Depending on what kind of private school you decide on, tuition can range from $4,000 per year up to more than $100,000. Public school costs nothing, of course. Is it more important to you to spend the money on private school tuition versus having money to treat your kids well in other respects' How much are you willing to sacrifice' Do you think the best things in life are free – or do you believe you get what you pay for' Private schools admittance vs. public school admittance Private schools are allowed to expel students and can choose not to allow certain students admittance. In fact, many private schools are difficult to get into. Public schools allow all students, regardless of religious creed, academic abilities or any other factor. Sending you child to a private school means enrollment is selective and demands are uniformly higher versus a public school where they will be exposed to a wider variety of people and abilities. In today’s world, both are likely to incorporate students from various cultures and backgrounds. Student population at private vs. public school In most areas, your children will attend public school with other kids from the same area. However, a number of states are moving toward a policy where you can request a change if you desire. When parents choose a private school, they often do so based on their desire to give their children a specific peer group, whether that is based on discipline, cultural or religious background, or philosophical beliefs. In most private schools, students are excluded or expelled if they do not adhere to the school’s policies or standards. Interested in private schools' Go to our private school search engine Class size in public vs. private schools Overcrowding of public school classrooms is one of the most common complaints about the public education system, a significant problem that inspires parents to seek private school alternatives. School governance Because they do not use public funds (or in some areas, less funds), private schools are not as restricted in their program development or curricula. Private schools are not subject to budget limitations imposed by the state (although, they may in fact, have more restrictive limitations). This freedom allows private schools to develop their own curricula. As long as parents agree with the intellectual, philosophical or religious basis brought to the curricula, this independence from ‘government interference’ is seen as a great advantage of private schools over public. On the other hand, public schools use curricula designed to include all students, thus invoking in them a tolerance for others. Learning in both public and private schools is measured through standardized testing. Teacher certification in private school vs. public All teachers in public schools in almost all states and provinces in North America are required to have some form of federal, state or provincial certification along with a bachelor’s degree. In the more prestigious private and boarding schools, there are likely to be teachers who are much more highly qualified, with graduate degrees and higher level awards. Actual teacher certification on a state-by-state or province-by-province basis varies and is always being revised, so blanket statements are not helpful or appropriate. Public school vs. private: quality of education Private school and public school administrators and educators all do their best to create the best learning environment possible. There are excellent public schools and there are excellent private schools. In Canada, the Fraser Institute ranks schools, often finding favour with private schools, although it does highly rank some public schools. In the USA, the situation is similar: there are good public schools but many of the best overall schools are privately funded. A study by Harvard University found that private school students averaged higher than their public school counterparts in standardized tests in 11 of 12 comparisons of students. In the final analysis As a parent, you need to decide for yourself. Visit schools and see what the schools and teachers are like. We think the option of private school makes all schools better and gives parents alternatives they may certainly want to pursue in finding the right education for their children. Haut du formulaire [ ] [ ] http://www.suite101.com/content/pros-and-cons-of-private-vs-public-schools-a102260 Bas du formulaire Pros and Cons of Private vs Public Schools Both Educational Alternatives have Strengths and Weaknesses * Mar 13, 2009 * Michael Streich Public School Transportation - Seemann:Morguefile During a period of severe economic uncertainty, parents and students should weigh the positives & negatives associated with free public education versus private options. During times of economic uncertainty, the option of sending children to non-public schools represents a significant issue for parents. Public schools are free and, in most cases, offer a wide range of student opportunities geared toward either college preparation or the workforce. With the advent of state-sponsored college-credit programs such as internet-based courses facilitated by state universities or “early colleges,” public schools can provide upper level academics that frequently compete with non-public alternatives. Private schools, however, still offer many advantages that the public schools simply cannot touch, and these benefits are attractive to parents willing to sacrifice. The Benefits of Non-Public School Education Many private schools flourish because of their reputations. Often decades in the making, the very “name” of these schools evokes a distinct sense of pride. Some private schools, notably Catholic high schools, develop superb reputations based on athletic success (much like Notre Dame’s legacy in football). Although they are often seen as elitist, such schools command clout in the academic community. Reputation is an important consideration. Ads by Google MBA Online School Specialised MBA Degree, Top London School, 12 Months Fast-track,Apply! www.StudyInterActive.org/Online-MBA Private Elementary School Help Your Child Excel. Enroll In Our Private Elementary School. www.FoundationsPrivateSchool.ca Private schools generally have lower student-teacher class ratios than public schools and teachers foster strong relationships with both students and parents. Teacher feedback is expected and is far more frequent than in most public schools. Private school facilities are frequently more modern and technologically advanced. Non-public institutions usually command greater resources, often tied to very active PTA organizations. Above all, private schools tend to have a vested interest in seeing their students advance to a successful college experience. In many cases these include top tier universities. To accomplish this, private school faculties often represent teachers with advanced degrees in their subject areas, although they may not be state licensed or certified. Public School Advantages over Private School Alternatives Because many public schools are large, they frequently offer more choices to students in terms of courses and have greater resources and staff in addressing the needs of special education students (this may not be true in rural school systems or systems in one-industry towns that have suffered major job losses). All public school teachers must be state-certified and most systems pay the necessary fees to have teachers nationally board certified. Read on  * Early Colleges Offer Educational Alternatives * How to Choose a Private School * Private High Schools Focus on Student Success Some argue that the public school experience provides a greater degree of student diversity and socialization. Additionally, public schools offer many upper level courses from honors to Advanced Placement and some schools feature the International Baccalaureate program. Whether the No Child Left Behind law ultimately prevails or has any merit in mandating realistic outcomes, it has forced schools and communities to take stock of local education. Hence, superintendents and school boards are looking at the public school process far more critically. This can only benefit students in the long term. Public schools provide transportation, something many non-public alternatives cannot match or if they can, on a limited basis only. This includes “activity” buses used for athletic transportation as well as field trips. The Pros and Cons of Public versus Private Schools Parents and students need to view all of the pros and cons carefully (recognizing that such choices are often student-driven). Is a more disciplined environment worth paying tuition' Are smaller class sizes worth the added expense' For parents that want to see their children have an “edge” over public school students in college, these reasons often justify the financial sacrifice. One option parents should consider is the Early College. On the other hand, parents recognize, depending on their particular public system, that public schools can do just as good a job of educating students if the right choices are made in terms of course selections and extra curricular participation. Students with a strong work ethic can thrive in any educational environment, particularly if they have strong family support. Read more at Suite101: Pros and Cons of Private vs Public Schools: Both Educational Alternatives have Strengths and Weaknesses | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/pros-and-cons-of-private-vs-public-schools-a102260#ixzz1LbYBPpl5 http://www.radicalparenting.com/2008/06/17/8-arguments-the-public-school-vs-private-school-debate/ 8 Arguments: The Public School vs Private School Debate College, School | 2:36 am by Vanessa Van Petten | 11 Comments Hello there Bing decision maker! If you find this page interesting, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress Plugin This seems like it is the debate of the century. Public school parents think their kids are better than private school parents. Private school kids think they are smarter than public school kids…the attacks go on and on. Disclaimer: I attended public school from K-6th and private school from 7-12th. I decided to write a post about this topic and not give the general pro’s and con’s of both sides of the debate (usually I try to stay neutral), but actually give my flat out opinion: whichever is best for your child. Does this seem like a cop-out answer' It’s not: I think that in some areas, for some families, in some situations public school is way better than private, and in the same way sometimes private school is way better than public. If you are struggling with this debate here are some factors you need to consider. 1. Cost If the cost of private school is going to make you have to give up things in other areas of your family life, it is not worth it. I know one family, in order to afford private school for both of their kids downsized their house and let vacations go. This meant they gave up their backyard for the kids, extra space and lots of family outings and activities. Yes, the kids got a great education but they had miserable and penny-pinching parents for 10 years and never had family bonding time—not worth it! 2. Teachers Some public school systems have way better teachers than private schools. When doing research look at the teachers—not only for the incoming grade, but for all of the grades. Do other parents complain about workload or grading' Are the teachers nice and passionate about what they do' Teachers make a break a school, they are so important and private school tuition does not always buy the best educators. 3. Principal This sounds like a silly priority, but the principal of the school does make a lot of decisions and if anything ever went wrong with your child’s education it is the principal you would be talking to—make sure you like them, make sure they are well respected. 4. Location Pick the closer school! If you pick an amazing private school that is far away you will be spending tons of time in the car, in traffic, far from local friends and you and your kids will be miserable, make sure to consider location. 5. Your Kid I mean, well, duh. If your child is more creative and needs less limits and boundaries than go with the school that fits your child best whether that is public or private. 6. Other Kids Friends matter. I personally am not a big fan of kids switching schools with all of their friends because I think the more a kid can practice going into new situations without friends the better, but consider where your friends kids are going or where other kids from your current school have gone in the past and how they have done. 7. Your Perspective If you know that going to a public school will somehow make you feel less than, then you need to first get a reality check, but also realize that your perspective is key to shaping your child. Who cares about what others think about your school choice, your kids only see what YOU think so put aside bratty neighborhood mothers and do what you think is best for you and your family. 8. There are Options Always talk to your kids about the pro’s and con’s of your choice. If you are leaning toward the public school explain to them you might be giving up walking to school or some vacation time. There are tradeoffs to every choice, make sure to discuss all of the aspects of the decision with your kids so they are onboard with you.