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ENLARGE
By Ed Iverson
Benevolent dictatorships have this much in common with benevolent monopolies - they are extremely rare. They also share the same destiny. They are doomed. Benevolent dictatorships invariably become brutal tyrannies. In a like manner, what began as a benign monopoly inevitably becomes an insatiable monster, gathering unto itself all things.
One lesson of history is that all brutal tyrannies eventually overstep. By way of comparison, insatiable monopolies become so bloated as to crumble under their own unsustainable weight. Our generation has watched a number of brutal tyrannies overstep and collapse. We may also be on watch while the government school monopoly crumbles under its own unsustainable weight.
Benevolent dictatorships have this much in common with benevolent monopolies - they are extremely rare. They also share the same destiny. They are doomed. Benevolent dictatorships invariably become brutal tyrannies. In a like manner, what began as a benign monopoly inevitably becomes an insatiable monster, gathering unto itself all things.
One lesson of history is that all brutal tyrannies eventually overstep. By way of comparison, insatiable monopolies become so bloated as to crumble under their own unsustainable weight. Our generation has watched a number of brutal tyrannies overstep and collapse. We may also be on watch while the government school monopoly crumbles under its own unsustainable weight.
I am pro-choice ... on education. As one of many who anticipate the separation of school and state, I look forward to the day when each American family will freely choose the school they want to send their children to. Along with others, I take heart from the small signs that indicate the government death-grip on schools is weakening.
The new acceptance of homeschooling is the first sign that the monopoly is crumbling. According to the Web site of the Home Schooling Legal Defense Association, 27 states now have low regulations or none at all for those who choose to educate their children at home. Many others are listed as imposing only moderate regulations. Only five states still impose the onerous regulatory burden upon homeschoolers that was common to every state a short 30 years ago. As one might expect, these include Massachusetts and its neighbors (along with North Dakota).
We can thank the abysmal failure of the monopolistic government schools for the next challenge to their monopoly. Vito Fossella represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives. He introduced legislation creating a $4,500 federal tuition tax credit for K-12 parochial and private-school education. He argues that low-income students find themselves trapped in failing schools, where academic achievement - and the accompanying opportunities - are all but nonexistent. He points out that up to 80 percent of students in the New York's 116 Catholic schools live below the poverty line. In Milwaukee, more than 90 percent of the students participating in a school-choice program during the first four years were African American or Hispanic.
The new acceptance of homeschooling is the first sign that the monopoly is crumbling. According to the Web site of the Home Schooling Legal Defense Association, 27 states now have low regulations or none at all for those who choose to educate their children at home. Many others are listed as imposing only moderate regulations. Only five states still impose the onerous regulatory burden upon homeschoolers that was common to every state a short 30 years ago. As one might expect, these include Massachusetts and its neighbors (along with North Dakota).
We can thank the abysmal failure of the monopolistic government schools for the next challenge to their monopoly. Vito Fossella represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives. He introduced legislation creating a $4,500 federal tuition tax credit for K-12 parochial and private-school education. He argues that low-income students find themselves trapped in failing schools, where academic achievement - and the accompanying opportunities - are all but nonexistent. He points out that up to 80 percent of students in the New York's 116 Catholic schools live below the poverty line. In Milwaukee, more than 90 percent of the students participating in a school-choice program during the first four years were African American or Hispanic.
Opponents fret that his bill will lead to an exodus of students and destroy public education. Fossella says their worry indicates a lack of confidence in the very system they are fighting to protect.
Many of the government schools' strongest supporters are beginning to doubt. Albert Shanker is the former president of the American Federation of Teachers. He is on record as admitting, "It's time to admit that public education operates like a planned economy ... and there are few incentives for innovation or productivity. It's no surprise our school system doesn't improve. It more resembles the communist economy than our own market economy."
Hell nearly froze over after Hurricane Katrina. Ted Kennedy is one of the last you would expect to hand over regulatory authority to the private sector. Yet, he sanctioned the inclusion of private schools in a rescue effort for more than 300,000 children displaced by the hurricane. Tens of thousands of kids are attending private schools using federal funds, amounting to the largest (albeit temporary) voucher program ever enacted.
Many of the government schools' strongest supporters are beginning to doubt. Albert Shanker is the former president of the American Federation of Teachers. He is on record as admitting, "It's time to admit that public education operates like a planned economy ... and there are few incentives for innovation or productivity. It's no surprise our school system doesn't improve. It more resembles the communist economy than our own market economy."
Hell nearly froze over after Hurricane Katrina. Ted Kennedy is one of the last you would expect to hand over regulatory authority to the private sector. Yet, he sanctioned the inclusion of private schools in a rescue effort for more than 300,000 children displaced by the hurricane. Tens of thousands of kids are attending private schools using federal funds, amounting to the largest (albeit temporary) voucher program ever enacted.
The fact is that the school-choice genie is out of the bottle, and it's working. According to Parents for Choice in Education, 19 states now have in place some form of school choice. The most comprehensive programs are to be found in Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida and the District of Columbia. It is the hottest political issue facing residents of Utah, where voters will soon decide whether the school-choice program implemented by the Legislature in February is ever implemented.
As the new school year begins, each family should be challenged to consider the many advantages of the separation of school and state.
Ed Iverson is a former Fallon resident.
As the new school year begins, each family should be challenged to consider the many advantages of the separation of school and state.
Ed Iverson is a former Fallon resident.
