| Myth #1: The United States was founded on a philosophy or principle of "public" education; thus, the public school system is the Holy Cornerstone of Democracy.
Myth #2: Government schools are truly "public" schools.
Myth #3: "Private" schools are more expensive than "public" schools, and it follows, therefore, that only the rich can afford them; that's why we need "public" schooling.
Myth #4: We are a more literate nation today than we were prior to compulsory government schooling.
Myth #5: Before the government take-over of education, there weren't enough schools, and many parents neglected their children's education.
Myth #6: The "public" schools would improve if only they had enough money to do the job right. |
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Myth #3: "Private" schools are more expensive than "public" schools (and it follows, therefore, that only the rich can afford them; that's why we need "public" schooling).
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition for private elementary and secondary schools is less than half the average per-pupil cost of public schooling.
In 1993-1994 (the last year for which comprehensive private school figures are available), the average annual private school tuition was $3,116, ranging from $2,138 for elementary tuition to $4,578 for secondary grades.
Some 67 percent, or more than 17,000, private elementary and secondary schools charged $2,500 or less, and 19 percent charged less than $1,000 per year.
Average public schooling spending per pupil during the same period was $6,492.
As of the 2000-2001 school year, the average per-pupil cost of public schooling was $8,830.
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