Can Public Schools Produce Good Citizens

October 8, 2013

Can Public Schools Produce Good Citizens

Taking in consideration the topic of this paper, can public schools produce good citizens, another question comes to mind: Why is a good citizen important to the public? Americans widely agree that a good education is essential to democracy, in order to promote intelligent citizens who can govern themselves (Ravitch & Viteritti, 2002). Several reports contend that public schools are failing to teach democratic values and are not helping immigrant students weave their way into the American social fabric.
Some people tend to think that economic segregation is an important issue public schools are facing. Economic segregation is an issue because students with financial struggles are linked with educators who have little experience (2010, 07). Also as poor neighborhoods become poorer, they tend to spend less on education.
Some people tend to think that private schools are doing a much better job at producing good citizens than public schools. According to an analysis of data from National Education of
Longitudinal Study (NELS), private schools are doing a better job than public at integrating students of different races, teaching them tolerance, and imparting a sense of public spiritedness. However, private schools are not thought to provide experience or instruction that promote integration, tolerance, or public spiritedness, values desired in citizens at a democratic country (Greene). Private schools tend to encourage students to develop a limited political perspective (Can the public schools). Some advocators for using public funds to send their children to private schools think that it would not harm democratic values but in fact, strengthen them. Public schools take people from all backgrounds and make Americans of them, teaching tolerance and a commitment to the public good. Even though there are some people who may disagree. Families are the primary socializers in society, and the mass media shape childrens’ attitudes in pervasive ways. We cannot expect schools by themselves to transform pathetic, self-absorbed consumers into active and engaged citizens.
I agree with the statement whole heartedly. For the bible tells us to train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The training starts at home and in the church. Having positive family involvement in education ensures a better outcome when it comes to producing good citizens. I think that public schools can produce good citizens, but we must first get away from putting too much emphasis on high stakes testing in mathematics and reading.
Active discussion of current local, national, and international events should be incorporated into the classroom, especially issues of interest to young people. This can improve students’ critical thinking and communication skills and promote the discussion of political issues outside of the classroom (Macedo, 2004). Teaching students about current events, the political process, and how to get involved can make them more willing and able to practice good citizenship. Lamanda McFarland
October 8, 2013

References
Can the public schools produce good citizens?. (2010, February 21). In writework.com.
Retrieved October 08, 2013, from http://www.writework.com/essay/can-public-schools-produce-good-citizens. Macedo, S. (2004). Crafting good citizens.Public schools can -and should-teach students to become active participants in democratic life. Education Next 4(2)
Ravitch, D. & Viteritti, J.P. (2002,March). Making good citizens: Education and civil society. The
American Prospect.Yale University Press
(2010,07). The role of teachers and the decline of public schools and how it affects the children.
Studymode.com. Retrieved 2013, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/the-role-of-teachers-and-the-352699.html

References: Can the public schools produce good citizens?. (2010, February 21). In writework.com. Retrieved October 08, 2013, from http://www.writework.com/essay/can-public-schools-produce-good-citizens. Macedo, S. (2004). Crafting good citizens.Public schools can -and should-teach students to become active participants in democratic life. Education Next 4(2) Ravitch, D. & Viteritti, J.P. (2002,March). Making good citizens: Education and civil society. The American Prospect.Yale University Press (2010,07). The role of teachers and the decline of public schools and how it affects the children. Studymode.com. Retrieved 2013, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/the-role-of-teachers-and-the-352699.html