
<p>(I have used “PUBLIC” in all caps to emphasize that America’s education problem is primarily with the government-run primary and secondary school systems. ; Higher education is a different issue – one that will require a later commentary.)</p>



<p>The American PUBLIC school system is broken – and there is only one way to fix it. ; We must allow parents to pick the best schools and stop progressive politicians and school unions from keeping kids trapped in PUBLIC schools that are unsafe and fail to provide adequate academic education – or acceptable social values.</p>



<p>Hopefully, we are in the first stages of a parents’ revolt against institutionalized government education that is completely failing to teach millions of children – mostly in segregated minority schools – or teach a culture that is alien and offensive to most Americans – mostly in communities dominated by progressive politicians and union-dominated school boards.</p>



<p>PUBLIC school children are too often not performing at grade levels. ; They are falling far behind their counterparts in other nations – especially in such competitive and adversarial nations. ; In various ratings, United States schools may rank from best in the world (usually a subjective analysis) to the bottom of the top 20 nations. ; This is due to what is being evaluated – all schools, including colleges, or just primary schools. ; ;</p>



<p>Ratings get even worse if you only compare elementary and secondary PUBLIC schools – excluding private and parochial schools. ; America’s ranking then drops below 30<sup>th</sup>. ; In short, the American PUBLIC school systems are failing to produce quality education. ; American PUBLIC school students do not do well in math and science testing.</p>



<p>Student performance ratings only test “students.” They do not account for the high American dropout rate. ; We are obviously failing to educate young people who are not in school</p>



<p>Despite these grim findings, American PUBLIC schools cost more per student than virtually any other school system in the world – regardless of whether the money comes from government or parents. ; And this does not count the billions of dollars that are voluntarily donated by foundations, corporations, parents or teachers.</p>



<p>There is another problem. ; Schools require buildings – especially at the primary and secondary levels. ; Online education does not work for younger children. There is an important difference between the operation of bricks and mortar by government and by the private sector –with too much control by various unions. ; ;</p>



<p>The main problems are cost and corruption – and inadequate oversight. ; Many schools in minority districts suffer from lack of maintenance. ; PUBLIC schools are allowed to suffer safety deficiencies that the government would close if they were privately operated.</p>



<p>Maintenance money is too often diverted into the union treasury to cover excessive labor contracts. ; The letting of contracts is too often dependent on political contacts rather than cost or quality of service.</p>



<p>For the left, the building is more important that the children. ; It is not about using taxpayer money to provide quality education, but rather warehousing kids in schools where they serve as the currency for the unions and the political establishment.  ; For the left, it is better to keep kids in a failing system as long as they are confined to a building and are nexus of the money flowing from the government to the school unions and ultimately to the politicians to control the schools.</p>



<p>The American PUBLIC school system costs too much and produces inferior education. ; And there is a simple solution to those problems. ; School choice. ; Economic models show that a national school choice system would lower costs and improve quality of education. ; It would be especially effective in addressing the shamefully inadequate education being provided to minority students in our major segregated cities. ; It is a no brainer.</p>



<p>Government’s role should be the enabling of the best education in the world focusing on the child and a curriculum that arises out of common sense and the will of parents – not controlled by bureaucratic overlords in Washington or politically tainted unions. ; ;</p>



<p>Choice. ; That is what is needed. ; That is the foundation of the American spirit – the ability to select the best option for one’s self or one’s loved ones. ; Choice. ;</p>



<p>Confining a child to a PUBLIC school that fails to provide proper education is a form of imprisonment. ; It is morally wrong – and it is destroying the future potential of millions of children – especially Blacks and Hispanics trapped in segregated PUBLIC schools. ; Parents have no choice in the matter – especially those without the financial resources to buy their way out of failing PUBLIC schools.</p>



<p>PUBLIC schools should not be about that government owned building or appeasing the unions –or filling political campaign coffers &#8212; but focused only on one issue – providing each child with an education that can advance them to college and career level jobs.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Time for a national commitment to school choice
