Meier- The Power of Their Minds

"Differences make things complicated. But dealing with the complicated is what training for good citizenship is all about." (pg. 7-8) This quote expresses Meier's main idea defending the need for public schools. I had never explicitly thought about what would happen if public schools became a last resort for students, and private schools became the norm, but after reading this article I began to realize that if private schools became more prevalent across the nation different groups would become cliques and dominate over other groups. Our nation's democracy would begin to crumble. Public schools were developed to educate every child; children of different race, religion, and class, and we believe every child has the right to equal education. Mainstreamed schools may be too challenging for some below average students, and they may hold back some above average students but I agree with Meier in that public schools train us to be better citizens by interacting with both ends of the spectrum. She states, "Public schools can train us for political conversation across divisions of race, class, religion, and ideology." (pg.7) Students exposed to the bigger mixing pot of peers will be more tolerant and develop better community-based habits.

I think back to my public school group work experiences, I always got more work done when I worked with others besides my best friends. I'd just talk about non-school related subjects when partnered with my friends, who were just like me. When you work with other peers, you learn to compromise and listen to other ideas. This is just a small metaphor however to relate to the much bigger picture. I do believe in public education, but am obviously biased by my career choice.