Quote:The state definitely has a role to play in education.  Many private schools are currently free to only admit those who they want to admit.  They can turn down people on any basis.  Taking the state's role out of education would open the door to for-profit education establishments that aren't accountable to anything other than money.  I cannot see you arguing that schools should be forced to accept all students -- especially given that you hold that businesses should be able to turn away people for any reason.    And those schools that are held accountable to only money would easily use marketing to make themselves more appealing, and have less accountability.  Much like for-profit colleges do today.


Without public education many wouldn't be able to get even a decent education.  Especially those living in poor communities, or those who live in areas with poor private schooling.  


Our public schools teach children no matter what their belief, race, gender, religion, or economic status.  They teach students who have learning disabilities, and those who show great academic promise. 

 

An uneducated society cannot survive.  Thomas Jefferson certainly believed this.  An uneducated populace leads to tyranny, and stripping of rights that we have.  


As for school prayer -- it's not banned in schools.  What's banned is school-led prayer.  Which makes sense, as that would be a violation of the establishment clause.  

 

I must disagree.  In a free country parents should have the right to determine what level of education their children receive.  A child can probably learn more skills and knowledge without ever setting foot in a "state run school".

 

As far as "for-profit" schools, the free market will determine whether or not they survive.  Are graduates of those schools successful in today's society, or do they lack?  Regarding the selection of students, in a free country it should be a private enterprise's right to determine who can enter or who can not.  Would a Catholic school allow a child from a non-Catholic family?  Probably not, but then the question arises.  Why would a non-Catholic family want to enroll their children into a Catholic school?

 

As far as being "held accountable", to whom?  The "State" (Federal Government or State Government)?  Who is the ultimate judge as far as determining how well these children are educated?

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