By Brett LinleyCONTRIBUTOR
Recently, President Obama came out to confess that rigorous standardized tests are not always the solution to providing a better education. While this is a positive step on the administration’s part, there are still miles to go for meaningful education reform.
This entire conversation is predicated on the idea that there is a need for the federal government to play a role in education. Certainly, we do not want clueless masses running the country in the future. Without question, a workforce prepared to face the challenges of a globalized economy will need to be trained.
Once we establish what we want to accomplish, it becomes a matter of who implements it. Many profess the desire for education to become more and more focused on the individual, all the while demanding that a group of central planners miles away lay down the law for them.
The best thing we can do for the future of education is to stop laboring under the assumption that it is a public good. To this, many will say that educating the masses is to the benefit of society. While true to a certain extent, “society” is an entity comprised of individuals.
When an individual receives an education, they receive the bulk of the benefit through higher wages in the future. It doesn’t make sense for a taxpayer in Houston to take part in paying for the education of someone in Baltimore, for which he receives no benefit.
When this premise is accepted, the market can be the determining force of educational standards. Just as there are universities with varying levels of prestige, the same can come of primary education. It will become unnecessary to lay down federal mandates, as colleges will simply not select students from schools that aren’t up to par.
Schools will need to adapt to stay competent and relevant, just like any other business. For those trapped in poverty, the state can play a minor role by providing vouchers so that one’s zip code does not determine one’s education and future.
The free-enterprise system consistently outperforms government bureaucracy and improves lives. There is no reason this cannot or should not be applied to our children’s future.
Brett Linley is the President of the Hofstra Students for Liberty.
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