What are some goods and bads about public school?

Answer 1

Goods: (and I know that there will be some who say that all these can be done in homeschool environments, too. I'm going with a general answer here)

*easier access to a diverse field of competitive team sports.
*easier overall acceptance into colleges/no fight to have transcripts accepted as valid
*in general a more diverse population of students surrounding you (some might consider this a bad)
*in general, a more diverse set of high level classes and elective specific classes (ie; yearbook)
*Pep Rallies (j/k)

bads:

*lack of control of environment (meaning having to face bullying, violence, drug/alcohol climate)
*lottery of teacher (meaning, you never know the quality of education you'll get; if you win the lottery, great; if you don't, too bad)
*stiff calendar (no let's take a one week field trip to DC)

Answer 2

This is a tricky question to answer...most "good" of public school is only good for selfish reasons. Like parents are able to work full time jobs and it's free (not really, but since everyone's tax dollars go to it, we can call it free). The most popular "good" of public school is socialization. So I really can't think of a sincere "good" of the public school system.

But I can think of a lot of bads! The education is horrid, kids aren't learning and many graduate who can't even read! There is no way each student can be given individual attention. Everyone in the class is the same age. Schools indoctrinate students with false teachings, they tear apart families by encouraging students to keep secrets from parents. I could go on all day about the public school system, but unfortunately I have other things to do. In all, the public school system is an utter failure.

Answer 3

I work in a relatively good public school system. We have some great kids there and some very caring teachers. I enjoy being around the kids in the cafeteria...but not so much on the bus.
Good: Lunch I enjoy watching the kids enjoy themselves even though they have terrible manners and leave their trash on the tables.
Good: Junior and Senior projects where students learn 'ownership' of their education. They learn with a mentor and do actual hands-on learning.
Bad: No individuality in education plans. This is in general. The learning disabled get an IEP but everyone else must fit into the mold as specified by state.
Bad: Teachers are not with students long enough to get to know them.
Bad: Not enough teachers to give individual attention to students.
Bad: State requirements do not give teachers time for learning moments and interactive learning.
Bad: Substitute teachers are not prepared to step in for the lesson plan and therefore are monitors for busy work.
Bad: Wasted time on non-essentials and discipline.

Answer 4

The good and bad will depend on your personality and the school, and perhaps on how a parent homeschools.

Some general good:

*Perhaps some special program (like IB or immersion) that can't be done at home, but that would only apply to a student who wants to do that or whose parent would want them to do that. (Btw, AP can be done at home.)

*Usually more respected than homeschooling by the general population.

*Other benefits dependent upon the student.


Some bads:

*Being grouped into single-age groups, encouraging peer dependence (and the various associated behaviours and attitudes).

*Low flexibility--scheduling, pace of work, course content, who you have to spend your time around, etc.


---
It's not true that public school means you'd be more social. My kids are more social than I ever was--I always attended public school and my kids have always been homeschooled. There are plenty of non-social people in schools.

There is also no reason why public school would mean you'd learn more than your parents know. Parents went through the same public school system and many have advanced degrees. And homeschoolers (well, anybody) *can* learn more than their parents--there's a wealth of books and resources out there that any student can learn from and learn more about a subject than any adult teaching them might know. If humanity is limited to learn only what someone can teach them, our knowledge would never grow.

Answer 5

In an attempt to provide real data rather than opinion, I searched for both good and bad statistics about public schools. Here is what I found...

Bad:

High drug use - see National Institute on Drug Use link
High dropout rates (1/3+) see link
Violence (murder, bullying, delinquency, etc.) see link
High rates of STDs and teen pregnancy - see link

It was much harder to find "good" statistics about public schools. But there are a few benefits of public school that are generally not open to homeschool students as others have mentioned. --- Socialization is NOT one of the exclusive benefits.

I did try.

Answer 6

Depends on the school, and depends on the student, doesn't it? Some people will thrive in the most mediocre school, others are just not suited for the school environment at all, no matter how good the faculty and staff, or how excellent the resources.

I really think it's more about the individual child finding the environment and situation in which they can thrive. What may be great about public schools for one person can be totally inconsequential for someone else.

Answer 7

Here are some good and bad things,


Bad
1. It may be hard for you to learn with so many kids your age with you.
2. It has a bad socalzation problem, in real life your not always with people your age.
3. You may be bullied or teased for good grades or not caring as much about your hair/clothes as your schoolwork.
4. You may have to deal with kids smoking or using drugs.
5. It may sometimes be hard to go at your on pace faster or slower then your class.
Good
1. It is free
2. Both your parents can work
3. you can see your friends every day
4. It may be easier to get involved in sport teams ect.

And even if your parents are your teachers you can still learn more then them. Why a homeschooler who's parent dropped out of highschool could get a PHD if he wanted to.
You can still read books and use curriculum in homeschool.

Answer 8

Read this book, it is no slam to public schools, or teachers just factual information.
It gives both sides.

The Harsh Truth About the Public Schools.
By Bruce N. Shortt.
It is a hard book to find, and not many libraries carry it.
I had to get it through an inter library loan program, and it did take a while; I wonder why?

http://www.amazon.com/Harsh-Truth-About-Public-Schools/dp/1891375237
Used copies only.

Answer 9

The goods only happen if they have the resources.

Drama dept
Choir
Music Dept
Orchestra
Auto Shop
Print Shop
Electronics
Plastics
Chem lab
Physic LAb
Radio Station (broadcast)
Cable access TV production
Student Newspaper with on campus press

The bad includes drug dealing, smoking in the boys room, detension, metal detectors, lousey caffeteria food, metal detectors, lock downs, boys VP, girls VP, PE in cold weather with showers.

Answer 10

Its different from student to student ... and from
school to school, i kno since my school is new
its better than the public school that is 2 miles at
most away