Public and Private Education: Conceptualizing the Distinction

Authors

  • Charles E. Bidwell The University of Chicago
  • Robert Dreeben The University of Chicago

Abstract

Common wisdom and public discourse seem to suggest that there are two types of schools, private and public. Policy debates, media outlets, and comparisons of outcomes on standardized tests and interscholastic athletic competitions make use of the distinction. This essay argues that while such a distinction can be helpful, it also tends to obscure differences in the social organization of schools. Employing a sociological analysis and providing a historical overview of educational developments, the authors focus on centralization versus decentralization of school controls and discuss the ramifications of a broad versus a narrow market niche for schools.

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Published

2003-09-01

How to Cite

Bidwell, C. E., & Dreeben, R. (2003). Public and Private Education: Conceptualizing the Distinction. Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice, 7(1). Retrieved from https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/cej/article/view/473

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2003)

Section

Articles

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