While I agree with the author that his proposals would be an improvement. They are NOT, NOT, NOT, the solution! But...his suggestions could be the beginning of a solution if the goal is complete privatization of education.
GOVERNMENT EDUCATION CAN NOT BE REFORMED!!!
ALL GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS TEACH CHILDREN TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH THE GOVERNMENT TAKING MONEY FROM THEIR NEIGHBOR TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THEIR PARENTS WANT FOR FREE!!!
**ALL** GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS ARE SOCIALIST!!!
SOCIALISM CAN **NOT** BE REFORMED!!!
Solution: We must replace all government schools with universally available private schools that are paid for by the parents or through charity.
The author's proposals would be an improvement and along with voucher, tax credits, and charters schools could lay the foundation for gradually moving to a fully private system, we must not rest until **all** government schools are abolished.
Finally...If conservatives would fund private education foundations as generously as they donate to colleges and universities, conservatives could get a LOT of kids out of the government schools right NOW!
Private conservative educational foundations could award grants to individual teachers who would open tuition-free one room schools, mini-schools, and homeschool co-ops. The foundations would certify the teachers, approve the curriculum, and test the students. The foundations would also break the back of the government monopoly on team sports by sponsoring sports leagues.
And..Yes, I am shouting. Until conservatives understand that it is the intrinsic socialistic nature of government schools that is the problem we will not reach a solution!
As more state's recognize the need for this, to empower family and use that as the centerpiece for providing social services, including education, then the other movement will follow.
Rep. Thayn understands this and is presenting here in Idaho the rational to begin deconstructing the federal and state fgovernment beheamouths that have grown up around "public " education...and he is having success.
You do realize that many colleges, including community colleges, are government institutions, right?
And, talk of vouchers and tax credits still doesn't remove the Government interference nor the "socialistic" nature from the problem of educating the youth. After all, education at the local and state level is funded largely through property taxes, the proceeds of which are distributed in a "to each according to his need" manner.
The proper way of "reforming" public education is two-fold: one, retain elements of the system that are in fact performing (e.g., TJHSST in Virginia) while cutting away elements that consistently do not perform; and two, dismantle the United States Department of Education in an orderly fashion through a "sunset" on its various programs, including Federal financial aid (including student loans) for college students. Then, let each State (and its sub-jurisdictions) decide for itself how to handle the problem of educating its youth, as is proper and Constitutional under the Tenth Amendment.
Eliminating the Department of Education is a promise once made by the Republican Party...a promise that was never kept.