Not everyone can afford to send their children to private schools, nor do they have access to grants for charter or independent schools. Parents need to consider not only financial and scholarship opportunities but also location. Yes, there are many private schools located all over the country, but not necessarily in rural areas or places with smaller population.
Independent schools are “independent” because they each have a unique educational mission and are governed by an independent board of trustees. Independent schools are free to serve their missions without state mandates regarding curriculum and testing. Independent schools are private pre-primary, elementary, and/or secondary institutions.
In the United States (U.S.), public schools are free and open to everyone and are funded by our taxes. However, in places like the UK, public schools charge tuition and have entrance requirements – a major reason why education funding is important for a republic.
Living in the U.S., a republic (not a monarchy) and a wealthy nation, one of the most important aspects of our society is education, and it must continue to be funded by federal monies. Why? Because it is necessary for our country to thrive, grow, and create new technologies, ideas and ways for humanity to endure. Without a strong education system, we cease to move forward and fail to progress.
According to the Education Commission of the States, “Preparing students to be engaged, productive citizens is one of the foundational purposes of public education in the United States. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Horace Mann— to name a few—all espoused free, universal public education as the key element that was necessary to maintain the integrity of the American republic over time. Public schools remain as the best avenue to ensure that citizens posses the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for productive participation in civic and political life.
While the role that civic education plays in public schools has been reduced somewhat in the last 50 years, the civic education field has continued to make significant strides in identifying best practices for civic education. Today’s best practices for civic learning are widely divergent from the textbook-based high school civics classes that were dominant 25 years ago. We now know that active civic learning—as opposed to flat civic learning—is essential to meeting the civic purposes of public education,”.
What does the Constitution say about public education?
While Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Horace Mann, and others all espoused free, universal public education as the key element necessary to maintain the integrity of the American republic over time, it is not directly written in the United States Constitution. However, provisions are included in the First, Tenth, and Fourteenth Amendments and are written into the States’ Constitutions as well.
A US Constitution source that has been online since 1995, featuring profiles on Founding Fathers, a comprehensive collection of amendments, and a wealth of historical documents, notes the following facts about education and public policy, “Various constitutional provisions significantly influence American education, revealing the interplay between governance, rights, and responsibilities.
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. This provision shapes the decentralized nature of the U.S. educational system, granting states substantial authority over educational policies.
States regulate curricula, teacher qualifications, and school funding mechanisms. Each state has its own Department of Education, setting educational standards and requirements. Local school districts further refine these policies, adapting them to meet specific community needs. School boards, usually elected by local residents, have the authority to decide on curricula and budget allocations.
Funding for education predominantly comes from state and local sources, such as property taxes,”.
Furthermore, they note, “The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This clause has shaped American educational policies and ensured equal educational opportunities irrespective of race, gender, or other characteristics.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was a pivotal moment in applying the Equal Protection Clause to education. This case dismantled the “separate but equal” doctrine, holding that state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students were inherently unequal and unconstitutional,”.
They report this about the First Amendment, “The First Amendment’s Free Speech and Establishment Clauses play crucial roles in shaping educational policies and practices.
The Free Speech Clause protects the rights of students and teachers to express their opinions, beliefs, and ideas within the educational environment. The Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) exemplifies this balance, ruling that students do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate,”.
Right to education
At the current moment, the U.S. and many other nations believe it is a fundamental human right to a free public education. And these rights are afforded to children with disabilities as well, no matter the level or where they stand on the spectrum.
For example, while I am convinced that both of my sons are certainly geniuses, my youngest does have some barriers to his education. He has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and Tourette’s (motor tics, not verbal).
My son’s healthcare team and his psychiatrist suggested that he should have an IEP (individualized education plan) through his school, so I had him tested and he qualified.
On the official Michigan government website, they state that, “When you enroll your child in a PUBLIC school district: Your child, if eligible, is entitled to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) through an individualized education program (IEP). A FAPE may include:
• Programs
• Services
• Accommodations
• Modifications
• Specialized instruction
When you enroll your child in a NONPUBLIC school: Your child does not have a right to a FAPE and does not have an IEP in a nonpublic school. Some services (such as speech or physical therapy) may be provided through a nonpublic services plan, but the services provided may be less than what your child would receive in a public school.
The services are determined through a process between the public school district and the nonpublic schools, based on the required share of federal funding and the needs of the student. The services are provided by the public school district. Nonpublic schools are not bound by special education law. When the public school district places your child in a nonpublic school: The public school district may, through the IEP team, choose to provide a FAPE by placing your child in a nonpublic school. In this case, your child must have an IEP to receive a FAPE,”.
He is now at the alternative high school, and we are happy that we made that choice, as his school district has been accommodating and helpful.
Additionally, once he qualified for the IEP, a nonprofit organization reached out to us – Michigan Alliance for Families helps parents with children who have IEPs and offered us free workshops on how to advocate for our child, as well as other essential topics.
Why is education funding important?
In conclusion, investing in education funding is crucial for fostering innovation, reducing inequality, and ensuring a brighter future for all. Let’s prioritize education today!