Replies

Although, TA, I would just add this: if I was the owner of a private school, I would say to the parents: "OK, here is a schedule of various Saturdays when this school will be offering these tests -- and, if you, the parent, decide you want your child tested, then, show up at the school on that Saturday." Because that leaves it up to the parent, and I do think it is important to keep that control with the parent -- otherwise, private schools start to become exactly like public schools. (Also, I don't mind that one voucher program out of three requires the state tests, because these students are coming out of a failing public school to begin with.) But, I don't think Dems have the right idea by demanding: "OK, EVERYONE DO IT THIS WAY." I hate that.

I do think it is important to keep that control with the parent -- otherwise, private schools start to become exactly like public schools

I agree with your analysis of this, and also want private schools to have as much freedom as possible. All I am trying to say is that if states choose to require testing, I would not object since I think that is a good thing.

What I would object to is if the state tries to control the content of the curriculum, teaching methods, etc., or would demand that certain subjects (outside of basic academics) be either required or forbidden. For example, I would not want religious classes forbidden, or certain immoral agendas imposed.

Generally speaking, some governmental regulation is necessary in every industry, but I believe it should be kept to a minimal level, and let the free market regulate the rest. Too much regulation can be extremely harmful, both in the needless expenditures required to maintain it, as well as the resources that need to be devoted to it that take away from more important tasks. I think this is a major reason why public schools often perform badly compared to their private counterparts; too much time and effort wasted on complying with regulations.