Difference between revisions of "School"
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In some states of [[Australia]], although the curriculum is secular, religious education by volunteers associated with the Council for Christian Education is permitted. This takes place in class time, but parents can choose that their children not attend this class. | In some states of [[Australia]], although the curriculum is secular, religious education by volunteers associated with the Council for Christian Education is permitted. This takes place in class time, but parents can choose that their children not attend this class. | ||
| − | In [[Nordic countries]] there are virtually no schools other than government schools. | + | In [[Nordic countries]] there are virtually no schools other than government schools.<ref>[http://www.rhpeo.org/ijhp-articles/1998/15/1.htm Case Studies On Health Promotion Initiatives From The Nordic Countries]</ref> |
=== Private school === | === Private school === | ||
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For most parents, [[homeschooling]] is the primary alternative education to schools<!-- I would have thought that non-government schools are the main alternative, with homeschooling being the next alternative after that -->. Increasing numbers of parents choose homeschooling due to a declining quality and culture in traditional schools and their hostility to religion and morality.{{fact}} | For most parents, [[homeschooling]] is the primary alternative education to schools<!-- I would have thought that non-government schools are the main alternative, with homeschooling being the next alternative after that -->. Increasing numbers of parents choose homeschooling due to a declining quality and culture in traditional schools and their hostility to religion and morality.{{fact}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | == References == | ||
| + | {{reflist|2}} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 02:06, September 12, 2007
A school is an educational institution. Schools can be either publicly- or privately-owned, funded by public or private sources or a combination of both, and may have a secular or a religious mandate.
The increasingly popular alternative to school is homeschooling.[Citation Needed]
Contents
Types of schools
Terms used to describe schools vary from place to place. Some of the following descriptions overlap with each other.
State school
A state school is one that is owned and funded by the state.
In the United States, government-controlled schools are supported by taxpayers, often in the form of a school tax on property. Prior to the 20th century, school attendance was only part-time, consuming only about half or less of the year.
In some states of Australia, although the curriculum is secular, religious education by volunteers associated with the Council for Christian Education is permitted. This takes place in class time, but parents can choose that their children not attend this class.
In Nordic countries there are virtually no schools other than government schools.[1]
Private school
A private school is one that is owned by some body other than the state. Private schools are generally funded by fees levied on the parents of the students, which usually means that the parents are paying twice, once in direct fees, and once in taxes for state schools.
In Australia, the Federal government provides some funding to private schools, although the parents of the students provide most of the income of the school.
Some private schools aspire to very high standards, some specialize in certain modes and topics of instruction (such as a military school), and yet others provide a place for children who need curricula not available in the state systems.
Public school
In America, a public school is a state school. In some Commonwealth countries, a public school is a church-run (i.e. run by a church denomination) school that is open to the general public.
In America, the curriculum in public schools is dictated by state governments and increasingly by the federal government under the "No Child Left Behind" legislation. Federal courts generally prohibit any type of prayer led by school officials, and even forbid the display and teaching of the Ten Commandments. As a result, morality has virtually disappeared from public school education, and public school students almost never hear that something is morally wrong, which is one reason for the rise in incidents of public school violence and drug abuse.[Citation Needed]
Compulsory 5-days a week, nearly 8-hours a day attendance at public school only began nationwide in the United States during the 20th century. Compulsory schooling laws were not universal throughout the United States until 1917, and even then the school year was often less than a half year.[2] There have been few, if any, long-term studies on the effects of the modern approach of full-time attendance at school from age 6 and younger to age 21 and older.
Faith school
A faith school in the United Kingdom is partially controlled by religious groups and have a predominance of pupils from that religious group. The government funds or partially funds faith schools.
Parent-controlled schools
Parent-controlled schools (in Australia) are private schools usually owned by churches, but with control being in the hands of a parent-appointed board.
Church schools
Church schools (in Australia) are the older denominationally-owned and run public schools which generally provide a secular education.
Christian schools, Muslim schools, etc.
What are known as Faith schools in the United Kingdom are known as Christian schools, Catholic schools, or similar in Australia.
Alternatives
For most parents, homeschooling is the primary alternative education to schools. Increasing numbers of parents choose homeschooling due to a declining quality and culture in traditional schools and their hostility to religion and morality.[Citation Needed]
