There’s a rumor being circulated by the Cato Institute that private schools are cheaper to run than public ones. More successful, too.
I’ll leave it to better-qualified critics than I to respond to the mis-use of facts, fuzzy math, twisted logic and right-wing political agenda disguised as objectivity.
As someone who attended public schools from pre-kindergarten through college, I respectfully point out that Cato neglects one of the most important factors in student success: Parent involvement.
The mere fact of selecting a non-public school can demonstrate an increased level of parent involvement.
Secondarily, I insist that the point of a public education system is far more than to be “responsive, efficient [and] high-quality,” as Cato concludes. The role of free public schools is to be society’s historian, exponent and perpetuator of its values --the common weal.
Private schools --religious and otherwise-- promote their own values. Ditto home schooling. Each has its own agenda. Not necessarily “bad.” But the word “sectarian” comes to mind.
These may be close to, or parallel with those of the overall society. But they are not identical. That’s why they are private and should be privately funded.
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