What is the role of public education in creating citizens? What types of citizens do we need in this changing society?

We live in a country that allows us to have a say. We vote. Every four years we vote for the person who runs our country and makes decisions that effect our every day lives. It is important to be a part of this and to actually care. I care. There are so many people that I know who don't and that is so frustrating to me. My family has always talked about it and has always been open about how they feel and informing me about the different issues so that I am able to make my own opinions. If it was not for my family I don't think I would know much. It is not taught in schools and it seems like it is hidden in schools. Teachers are not supposed to state their opinion and instead of putting their own opinions aside and taking the middle, they just decide to not talk about. Talk about voting and having a say in elections only came up my junior year of high school because we got closer to the age of 18, but that isnt soon enough. Students should be looking forward to voting and turning 18, but instead they barely register to vote and barely care about their say in what could happen. If you're not going to vote then don't complain about who gets elected and what occurs. I guess I kind of got off topic, but I've always felt strongly about voting and think that schools need to make it known that we are so lucky to have this ability and should teach our students to look forward to turning 18 and be excited to finally have a say!