Research!

After talking to Jacquie in my last studio session I felt the real need to do some research behind my topic. Below I've put the links which I found valuable and some snippets from the page that I found interesting.

http://blogs.stthomas.edu/theleaderletter/
"data suggests we take a step back from all these negative perceptions regarding public schools and take a closer look. A study by Sandra Glass (1993), showed that public and private schools experienced similar constraints – they had to deal with the same state and federal laws, limited funds, the demands of parents, college admission requirements, the same College Board examinations and so forth. Moreover both exhibited a high level of administrative autonomy and a high level of student achievement."
"When private schools can control the selection of their students giving them more opportunity to choose the more talented ones with economical and educational support at home, enforce disciplinary standards and create a sense of ‘community’ why is the difference in achievement so marginal? By contrast, public schools must enroll all students, even those from impoverished backgrounds who lack a support structure at home to give them educational direction."

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Top_10_Reasons/
"9. Education reduces costs to taxpayers. For every dollar spent to keep a child in school, the future costs of welfare, prison, and intervention services are reduced. It can cost less to educate a child now than to support a teenage parent or a repeat offender in the future. Education monies help to secure the future of all citizens."
"7. Public schools foster interactions and understanding among people of different ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds."

http://www.divinecaroline.com/life-etc/ten-reasons-love-public-schools
"How do families find the love when public schools are their destination of last resort and not their first choice?"
"1. Neighborhood school
Your child can go to school with her pals—the kids she plays with at the park and tumbled around with as a toddler. When families choose private schools, the kids scatter. Parents who send their child to public school say they love the proximity—some can walk to class—and the sense of community.
2. Choices
If your neighborhood school isn’t up to par, you may have alternatives. Many districts now offer choices such as charter, theme, or magnet schools. Some districts will allow you to transfer to a school in another neighborhood that has open seats.
3. Teachers
Don’t assume public school teachers are less capable than those at private schools. Many teachers choose public schools, motivated by a conviction in public education or a desire to teach all kids. They may also want to make more money. On average, public school teachers made $51,000 in 2007, according to the American Federation of Teachers. Teachers at academies belonging to the National Association of Independent Schools made $47,280 on average.
4. Parents have a voice
You can join the PTA or PTO and there are other ways to get involved. Many schools have advisory councils, where elected parents, teachers, and community members have a voice in decisions such as the hiring of a new principal. Diplomacy is required, but it is possible to get your voice heard.
5. Curriculum
Public school teachers follow a curriculum dictated by the state and local district. While some parents long for their child to be in a free-spirited environment, others praise the structure in public schools, which are held accountable through their test scores. Speaking of test scores, school-wide averages are publicly available and can give you an idea of the level of achievement. (Test scores don’t, however, tell the whole story. For that, you have to visit.)
6. Diversity
Private schools work hard to diversify their student bodies, but they often remain homogeneous. Advocates for public schools praise the real-world environment. They believe their kids will be better prepared as adults.
7. Supplies
Don’t laugh! Some parents who have experienced private and public schools swear the public schools have more good stuff. Many schools qualify for additional federal or state aid as well as foundation grants and other
10. Price tag
Public schools are not free. You pay with your tax dollars. The thing is, you pay whether you send your child there or not. If you pay for private school on top of public school, you’re shelling out a bundle.. Some PTAs raise $100,000 a year or more."

http://www.eastonbh.ac.nz/2003/09/singlesex_vs_coed_is_one_better_than_the_other/
this was just really interesting article - didn't actually provide me with anything for my stance.

I also sourced this excel spreadsheet from educationcounts.govt.nz which gave me the basis of my co-education angle. Here's a screenshot seeing as I can't see how to upload an excel doc: