Having access to government-organized education is almost universal in the world today, although it takes different forms in different countries.

Here in the United States the idea of public school has been around since the 1600s, while laws making it required for most children of certain ages became common in the 1800s.

Clearly humanity recognizes that providing instruction for young people has enormous value in their development and ability to contribute to society.

What I find surprising, though, is that we don’t always consider the bigger picture when we talk about the benefits of our public schools.

Most of the focus is on what and how subjects are taught.

Yes, I think it’s extremely important that we test science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics. Reading, writing, English and history are also incredibly important to cognitive development and an understanding of society. commonly talked about.

I believe that art, music, foreign languages and other “non-foundational” classes allow students to have a well-rounded perspective of what makes life interesting.

While perhaps not as prominent of a topic, I think there are clear benefits to physical education instruction and the physical activity that is part of school, including recess for young kids and even just the consistent movement between classes in junior high and high school.

I also believe that most of us recognize the value of extracurricular programs like sports, band, theater, debate, and other school clubs.

I’m not exactly sure how all of those things come together in international rankings on public education from organizations like US News (USN) Best Countries report and the nonprofit organization World Top 20 (WT20). I hear things like that referenced frequently when public education is discussed, usually bemoaning the low marks we get in the United States (12th USN, 31st WT20).

There are certainly valid concerns about public education.

The website ElevateK12.com talked about some of the challenges in 2025, saying: “Reading and math scores are at their lowest levels in decades. Chronic absenteeism is rising. Teacher shortages have reached crisis levels” and “federal support is faltering.”

Many of those I’ve talked to who currently or formerly work in our schools feel frustrated by the layers and layers of bureaucracy, the overemphasis on testing, the struggle to hold students accountable for their actions and the overwhelming pressure and demands.

Some promote the idea of school voucher programs like the “Utah Fits All Scholarship Program” as a means for families to address some of these issues.

Proponents argue that providing public education funds to families (Utah’s program provides up to $8,000 as a “scholarship”) gives parents choices, increases system competition and provides access to other educational choices for low-income students. Critics argue that it diverts public funds from an already underfunded system, lacks accountability and mostly benefits the wealthy who likely would already would send their students to private institutions.

Some want to see school choice expand dramatically, perhaps even to the point of turning it all over to private organizations and removing government involvement completely.

In most cases, I don’t have much faith in government doing things well. Usually the nature of government means that it does things less effectively and efficiently at greater cost then is often the case with open-market competition.

But I see clear exceptions, including national defense, infrastructure projects, water distribution and public safety.

And education.

My biggest reason for that view, though, is not because of the academics or even the extracurricular elements.

I think that the most important lessons learned in school aren’t scholastic.

They are social.

Think about it.

When a child or teenager goes to school, they rarely know who their teachers will be or which peers will be in what classes. They are forced to navigate the excitement of new friendships and the difficulties of initial insecurities and different personalities.

They almost always get exposed to peers from diverse heritages, various socioeconomic backgrounds and belief systems.

And it’s hard, often much harder than course materials.

Ask most students whether they would rather go take a tough test or deal with big fight with a friend, and they’ll almost always choose the test.

But hard things teach important lessons.

Most of us don’t get to choose our neighbors, coworkers, bosses or even family members. We have to learn to adapt and be resilient in the face of many daunting social challenges.

I think it is impossible to quantify how much the public education system prepares us for those realities and is exponentially more valuable than the ABCs or why two plus two equals four.

And I think the public nature of our education system teaches these lessons much more organically and effectively than private or even many charter schools. This is the bigger picture that I think gets overlooked far too often.

I hope as the kids and grandkids in our lives head back to school, we watch for opportunities to help them learn these vital social lessons. We’ll probably learn a few useful nuggets ourselves as we do.

Because learning how to more successfully interact with other people is one of the most important lessons you will ever learn.

Jared Lloyd is the managing editor of the Daily Herald and can be reached at jlloyd@heraldextra.com.