FREE ESSAY ON PRIVATE SCHOOL VS. PUBLIC SCHOOL

PRIVATE SCHOOL VS. PUBLIC SCHOOL

Persuasive Speech Formal Outline
Title: PRIVATE SCHOOLING IS THE OBVIOUS WAY TO GO
Topic: Private Schooling
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that private schools offer a better education
to children and better prepare them for college.
Thesis Statement: Private school children are more involved in community service, are
generally provided with a better education, and are more likely to 
apply and succeed in college.
INTRODUCTION
Attention material: For many of us, as scary as it may seem, the pitter-patter of little

feet is not too far off. In fact, some of you may already hear it. But along with
it, comes many big decisions that will affect the future of your children. 
Education is a big example. Now you may say, "Of course I'm going to educate
my children." But the big question is "Where?" For many parents today, it is a
hard to decide where to send their children - Public or Private school? 
Credibility material: I myself went to public schools, and even though I graduated 
Valedictorian of my class, when I came to college, I did not feel I was prepared
in many area of education. The classes in my high school were not challenging
enough, the tests were not hard enough, and the teachers were not strict enough.
Now it seemed pretty cool at the time, but it just caused me more trouble in the
long run than it was worth. If I were to choose today where to send my kids to 
school, I would definitely choose private schooling. 
Thesis statement: Private school students are more involved in community service, are
generally provided with a better education, and are more likely to apply and 
succeed in college.
Preview: 11% of all US Students are enrolled in private schools this school year (CAPE).
(Transition: I feel these children are at a big advantage over children in public
schools in all aspects of the educational experience.)
BODY
Getting involved in one's community is definitely important and beneficial to students
today.
A report issued by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) notes a
significant difference in levels of community service between public schools and
private schools.
According to the report, in 1999, 42% of private schools require and arrange 
community service.
This is significantly different than the 17% of public schools who do (CAPE).
(Transition: Getting involved outside of the classroom can be just as 
important as inside the classroom.)
Private schools generally provide their students with a better education.
In 1999, a report released by Public Agenda, a NY City research organiztion,
supported this claim.
1. When they asked 1,200 citizens how they felt on the issue, 52% believed
private schooling provides a better education, as opposed to the 19%
that though public schooling does (CAPE).
Private schools also provide more rigorous core curriculums.
The NCES report showed that 45% of private schools, compared to 20% 
of public schools, met the high school graduation recommendations of the
National Commission on Excellence in Education.
The recommendations are: 4 years of English, 3 Years of Mathematics,
3 years of Science, and 3 years of Social Studies.
Furthermore, the majority of private schools require a college preparatory 
program, 1-2 years of a foreign language. They are also urged to take
advantage of the AP courses.
(Transition: In a NAIS poll (National Association of Independent Schools),
by a margin of 2 to 1, the public thinks private schools do a better job
preparing students for college (CAPE).)
Private school students are more likely to apply and attend college.
The NCES report showed 88% of private high school students apply to college,
whereas, only 57% of public high school student do (CAPE).
More private school students take the SAT test, and their scores are well above
the national average for every ethnicity, race, and income group.
(Transition: Though the advantages of private schooling outweighs the
disadvantages, there are the obvious drawbacks.)
I know some of you may raise the issue of $$, and financial aspect of private
schooling can be the ultimate deciding factor.
However, there are ways around the sometimes pricey tuition.
Many private schools offer scholarships.
And just as in college, there is financial aid available for most schools.
Furthermore, the idea of private school vouchers is currently being 
discussed politically.
These vouchers give parents funding to send their children to private
schools if their public schools are failing. 
CONCLUSION
Summary statement: Overall, private school students excel in almost all areas, 
especially in producing more well-rounded, intelligent students.
Concluding remarks: Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing public schools. I'm
living proof that some don't totally fail, but when weighing all the facts and
seeing how private schooling stands out, it's the future of us all that is affected.
The children of today will soon be running our society, so why not give them a
head start with the best educational experience possible. 
Bibliography
WORKS CONSULTED
Council for American Private Education (CAPE): Voice of the Nation's Private Schools,
"Private School Facts," http://www.capenet.org/facts.html. Undated posting, Downloaded
November 5, 2000.
Hoak, Amy. "Teachers Discuss Candidates' Education Proposals," University Wire, 
30 Oct. 2000. Electric Library.