Strong Communication Depends on Strong Public Schools

Public schools are the foundational democratic public good. Philosopher and professor Jason Stanley wrote that, and he’s right.

Think about what actually happens inside a public school classroom. It’s one of the only places left in American life where kids from every background — every income level, every family structure, every belief system — come together under one roof. They learn math, reading, and science, sure, but they also learn something much more important: how to live in a community.

And a huge part of that is communication.

Public schools teach kids how to express themselves clearly, listen to others, disagree respectfully, and collaborate. These are essential skills, not just soft skills; they’re survival skills. When children learn to articulate their ideas, ask questions, negotiate, and consider perspectives different from their own, they grow into adults capable of meaningful civic participation. They become the kind of people who don’t just absorb information — they evaluate it.

Maybe that’s part of why public schools are so often under attack.

Because when people can communicate effectively, think critically, and analyze what they hear, they’re harder to manipulate. They’re less likely to fall for misinformation or conspiracy theories. They’re more likely to spot contradictions, challenge bad ideas, and hold leaders — all leaders — accountable.

A strong public school system doesn’t just prepare students for the workforce. It prepares them for citizenship. It teaches them how to speak up, and just as importantly, how to listen. It gives them the tools to participate, to debate, to lead.

Protecting public education isn’t just about test scores, buildings, or budgets. It’s about safeguarding the core skills a democracy relies on: communication, critical thinking, and community.

Wendy Brown, professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley, once said, “Without quality public education, there is no substance to the promise of equality and freedom … Above all, there is no possibility of being a self-governing people, a democracy.”

When we strengthen public schools, we strengthen the country. When we weaken them, we weaken the public’s ability to understand each other — and to govern ourselves. When we support public schools, we support the development of skilled communicators and engaged citizens.

Strong communicators don’t appear by accident. They’re built in strong public schools.

(Tim Herrera is the author of “Public Speaking: Simple Steps to Improve Your Skills” and “Mastering Media: Strategies for Effective Communication in the Digital Age.”  You’ll find both Amazon.)