SPEAK OUT: Are Public Schools Better than Private Schools?

While Maryland has one of the top-ranked public school systemsin the country, parents still debate whether one of the state's also distinguished private schools might be a better option, despite the cost.

One new book advises the "free" choice can be better.

Christopher A. Lubienski, co-author with Sarah Theule Lubienski of The Public School Advantage: Why Public Schools Outperform Private Schools, says the differences between public and private may not be what you think. 

In an interview with The Atlantic, Lubienski explained the findings that reveal public schools are doing a better job academically than private schools.

"There are reasons to think our typical and our best public schools are doing a pretty great job—it’s just the national averages are often dragged down by the fact that we have a lot of schools with poor-performing students who happen to also be poor," he told The Atlantic.

The research indicated that private school students have higher scores not because their schools are better but because students receive greater educational support.

Click here to read the full report.

TELL US: Which schools do you think offer an advantage for students? Tell us in the comments.