School choice: change we can believe in

Some say something is wrong with our education system. Usually the answer they give to solve our problems is: more money. But most studies about money in education actually show that more money isn’t the solution. CATO Institute fellow Andrew Coulson has written many articles and books about this subject, including one that appeared in The Washington Post on April 6, 2008. As he points out, most public schools spend more per child than do private schools. Some of the best public schools and districts in the country actually spend less per child than do the worst.

The solution then isn’t money. It’s freedom. Give parents the freedom to choose the school of choice for their child and learning increases. We are all individuals and education, especially in the information age, should be tailored to our individual choices. We are not pawns that should be used for the service of the state.

School choice actually does exist today, but only for the wealthy. They can send their children to the school of their choice. Low-income and middle class families most often do not have that choice. School vouchers would allow the money to follow the child to any public, private, or charter school of their choice. It’s not rocket science. It’s common sense. Learn more at: http://www.schoolchoice.org/

School choice. Now that is change I can believe in.

*The James Madison Institute and the Foundation for Excellence in Education brought some true education reformers to Orlando last month to discuss bringing real change to education. Read the Orlando Sentinel article that discusses how we are trying bring about change so that our students can compete with the rest of the world, in the ever emerging global economy.