When I teach creative-writing courses one of my go-to assignments requires students to construct a long, grammatically correct sentence in the service of whatever story or poem they’re working on.

Providing public education is among the most important duties of government. However, as demands on public schools increase and public budgets ebb and flow, private-sector help is all the more valued.

When Sarene Alsharif calls, she’s walking through her tailoring shop, and an employee beckons her over with a question. “No, no,” she explains, her reply drifting over the phone. “‘Let out’ means ...