Monday, February 11, 2008

Missouri School Districts Drop Out

Kudos to the schools that have dropped from the adequacy trial. It's time for others to drop out too. Suing Missouri taxpayers for more money is not a solution that will yield improvement and that is why it is important for those who remain committed to appealing the CEE vs Missouri decision to follow those who recently dropped (St. Joseph's, Columbia, Liberty, Blue Springs). Missouri taxpayer money would be better spent in the classroom where it was designated to go in the first place.

What is plaguing our public educational system is not a lack of money but a lack of proper direction. Schools can and do improve when proper incentive is given. Allowing schools to adapt to attract children they are capable of serving and educating is a good thing. Forcing schools to teach to all special differences of each child that lives in a certain district is an unrealistic burden currently placed on our system. So let's not focus on a losing trial and, instead, focus on winning strategy and alternatives within a thriving public school system based on parental choice and involvement.

This article, Expanded school choice would encourage innovation, shows that it is possible to improve student performance in the absence of increased taxes.

Research on programs suggests that school choice is having a positive impact. Surveys of families participating in school choice programs have found that parents are more satisfied with their children's education when they can choose their children's schools.

No comments: