Skip to main content

New Vocabulary Changes Perceptions of Public Education

As charter schools proliferate in struggling urban areas, policymakers are substituting new words for old terms to inject a sense of esteem into the concept of public education.

Republish
Substitute teacher Nemir Naayem watches the hallways at Austin Premiere Academy during TAKS testing.
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller

As charter schools proliferate in struggling urban areas, policymakers are substituting new words for old terms to inject a sense of esteem into the concept of public education. Researchers say the idea goes back centuries, and that using words like “academy” and “scholar” instead of “school” and “student” goes a long way toward positively changing the way students and teachers think about education. (NPR)

Texans need truth. Help us report it.

Independent Texas reporting needs your support. The Texas Tribune delivers fact-based journalism for Texans, by Texans — and our community of members, the readers who donate, make our work possible. Help us bring you and millions of others in-depth news and information. Will you support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation of any amount?

Support independent Texas news

Become a member. Join today.

Choose an amount or learn more about membership.

$18 $20 $25 Other
Donate now

Information about the authors

John Reynolds’s staff photo

Learn about The Texas Tribune’s policies, including our partnership with The Trust Project to increase transparency in news.

Explore related story topics