MY TURN: Public schools through the centuries
Doug Albertson
Contrary to the thought that public schools were devised to ensure the stability of a Republican form of government as espoused by Mr. Regan in his “The Right to Choose” opinion, I believe public schooling was designed to provide a consistent and results-based form of education. Teachers in the public school system are required to have a four-year college degree, a teaching credential, plus passing a background check. Private schools may or may not require a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certificate though desired is not mandatory in the state of Idaho. The bottom line is that private schools teaching requirements (K1-12) are less stringent than public school teaching requirements.
As for the thought that the public school system is an 18th century relic that will not serve 21st century innovation requirements I would suggest that most of the innovations from the industrial age to our current period were developed by students that endured some public-school training. Clearly, elite private schools were and are part of the mix in the advancement of innovation. Both scholarships and personal payment for private education advanced some students. The current push for school choice has Christian education leanings. Many think Idaho taxpayers should help foot the bill for K-12 private Christian schools. This reduces the funding for public schools, which have historically provided a secular education (see Lemon Test) that led to my success, my child’s success and, probably, Mr. Regan’s success as well.
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