��������

Public education has gotten a bit of a bad rap in recent decades, as many families are exploring other education options, like homeschooling, private schools, and charter schools. However, public schools still serve a significant role in preparing the next generation of world leaders. Check out these 10 potential advantages a public school education can provide.

Cost

The cost of a public education can’t be beaten. Although some parents might complain about the recently added expenses of supplies and participation in sports teams, these schools are still much more budget-friendly than their private counterparts. According to , the average tuition for private schools in the United States during the 2016-2017 school year was $19,310. The average cost for a boarding school during that same year was $35,118. Schools affiliated with the charged even more.

This video looks at the advantages of public schools.

In addition, private schools receive additional funding through private donations. In many cases, this means parents of students at the schools may have to invest time and money in fundraising events throughout the year. While public schools also participate in fundraisers, the bulk of their funding still comes from federal, state, and local government sources.

Availability

Public schools provide access to education for every child in a community. The notes that by law, public schools cannot turn students

In neighborhoods across the country, students spend a significant portion of their waking hours in their public schools. Most of these students worry about how they will do on their next math test or whether their parents will let them go to the upcoming school dances. Few fret about whether they will get physically harmed by simply walking through their school hallways. However, in one of the most dangerous schools in Philadelphia, physical safety is a top concern for the students who attend that institution daily.

Introducing Strawberry Mansion

Strawberry Mansion, a public high school in North Philadelphia, consistently makes the list of the . According to , the school has reported 10 violent incidents for every 100 students every year for the past five years. In this school year alone, 49 reports of everything from fires to teacher attacks have been documented inside or outside the school building.

Strawberry Mansion has a student population of 435 students at the beginning of this past school year, located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Philadelphia. The community also has a high crime rate, an influx of illegal guns, and frequent property damage. Amid this environment, high school students head to school each morning, unsure of what the day will hold for them.

This video from Nightline reports on Strawberry Mansion high school.

A High School

Technology is coming to the Los Angeles Unified School District in a very widespread way this fall, as district officials have unveiled a plan to put an Apple iPad in the hands of every student in the district. The ambitious endeavor could eventually encompass more than 900 school campuses and 640,000 students between kindergarten and 12^th grade.

Coming Soon to a Los Angeles School Near You

reports that the deal between Apple and one of the largest school districts in the country will total more than $30 million when all is said and done. More than the money, a distribution this widespread positions Apple as the technology leader in education, at least on the West Coast where students will now be using their device in mass. The partnership will begin with the distribution of 31,000 iPads, which will be distributed at 47 campuses throughout the district this fall.

According to TelecomTiger, the Apple iPad was chosen by the school district because it has been rated the highest in quality and will be one of the most cost-effective means for bringing technology into the district on such a grand scale. The review panel that chose the iPad over other devices included both teachers and students in the district. By 2014, the district plans to ensure every student has one of these devices in their possession. Apple executives believe that the distribution to the school district with match their corporate philosophy as well.

“Education is

Project-based learning is a unique type of pedagogy that moves beyond the traditional “memorize and regurgitate information” approach that is commonly seen in classrooms today. Project-based learning brings relevancy and practical application to the lesson, by making students active participants, rather than mere bystanders. Although project-based learning is still used on a relatively limited basis today, there are a number of reasons why educators might want to consider incorporating this methodology into their classrooms.

In this video, a teenager explains project-based learning.

A Definition of Project-Based Learning

According to the , project-based learning involves students coming together in groups or working individually to explore real-world problems. Through their explorations, students create presentations that sum up what they learned and their proposed solutions to those problems. Teachers in project-based learning classrooms serve as facilitators and guides, helping students find answers to questions without spoon-feeding the answers directly to them.

The website explains that project-based learning comes from the belief that students learn best by becoming active participants in the education process. The methodology involves the following:

• Students using knowledge learned to tackle problems experienced in the real world
• Students exercising more control over their learning environment
• Students typically working in groups or pairs, although individual projects can also be used
• Teachers serving as coaches to encourage student reflection and problem-solving skills

Project-based learning is similar to problem-based learning, which