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Public education becomes a popular platform for politicians during election season. However, just how many of those federal legislators enjoy the fruits of their labor? According to some of the most recent figures, many public servants opt for private schools to educate their children and grandchildren. We'll take a look at some of the specific numbers to determine just how big a stake our country's politicians have in the state of our public education system today.

The Heritage Foundation

is a research and educational think tank founded in 1973. According to the organization's website, a survey conducted on members of Congress in 2003 showed that nearly half of the members sent at least one child to private school. Specific figures showed that 41% of representatives in the House and 46% of U.S. senators send or have sent at least one of their children to a private institution. That contrasts with the rest of the country, where only 10% of families send kids to private schools. This 2003 survey showed similar results to surveys conducted in 2001 and 2002, indicating the ongoing trend.

This debate from 2007 illustrates the issue of politicians supporting public schools yet sending their children to private schools.

Other data gathered by the Heritage Foundation showed the following Washington elite also exercised their private school option:

• 31%

A recently issued by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a non-profit educational think tank, indicates that more than 1.7 million American students attend what the report terms “private-public schools” – that is, public schools where low-income students make up less than 5% of the student body.

The Fordham Institute report criticizes these “private-public schools,” arguing that they go against the ideal of a public education system whose doors are open to everyone. The report will likely spark vehement reactions both from those who share its support of school choice reforms and those who do not.

This report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute discusses bad schools.

The Report’s Findings

Geographic Disparities

The accompanying the Fordham Institute analysis highlights the fact that the percentage of students attending “private-public schools” varies from state to state. Some states boast high percentages of students attending “private-public schools,” such as:

• Connecticut: 18%
• New Jersey: 17%
• South Dakota: 16%
• Arizona: 14%
• Massachusetts: 12%

However, in other states, no more than 1% of children attend “private-public schools.” The states with less than 1% of children attending “private-public schools” are:

• Florida
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Carolina

Racial Disparities

White and Asian students appear to be disproportionately represented in “private-public school” populations, while African-American and Latino students are under-represented. The press release accompanying the report notes that while African-American students make up 17% of public school students nationwide, they comprise only 3% of

As a parent, you’re always looking out for your children, trying to make the best decisions for them and their futures. When it comes to schooling, parents often have to work out whether to send their children to private school or keep them in public school. Hopefully, this article will help you decide which school is best for your family. We’ll first talk generally about some of the different factors that impact decisions regarding public and private schools. Then we’ll go over some national statistics regarding public and private schools. Finally, we’ll leave you with a conclusion that should help you decide what is best for you.

Factors affecting Private versus Public school decisions

Public schools are schools that are provided by state and federal funding. Ninety percent of the children today in America attend public school. Private schools include both parochial schools and non-parochial schools. According to a special report published by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2002, in 1999–2000, approximately 27,000 private schools accounted for 24 percent of all schools in the US and 12 percent of all full-time-equivalent teachers. Clearly, there are many more public schools that provide education to American students than their private counterparts.

When looking at public or private schools, the following factors come into play:

• Academic reputation and college preparation
• School size and class size
• Safety reputation
• Special programs
• Costs
• Religious and Moral instruction
• Location
• Ideology

Academic reputation plays a big role when considering private versus public schools. School systems vary greatly in their academic