More Money is not Necessarily the Answer
(Below is an article published in the Idaho Statesman by Leslie Mauldin who serves on the Board of Directors for Idahoans for Choice in Education).
It is time for Idaho to increase public school options. Because education monies are an investment in Idaho’s future, the stakeholders – taxpayers, parents, and policymakers- should have an interest in the return on investment. Parents and children are the consumers of our taxpayer supported public education, not recipients of a charitable grant.
With recent budget cuts, a maximum return on investment – meaning a competitive education for the children of Idaho – is more vital than ever. Is money the only way to improve education? Not according to Jay P. Greene, educational analyst and author of Education Myths, who points out that “”If money were the solution, the problem would already be solved … We’ve doubled per pupil spending, adjusting for inflation, over the last 30 years, and yet schools aren’t better.”
In fact, limiting school choice may be more relevant to the problem than budget cuts. The US is among the four HIGHEST SPENDERS on education, delivering 34th internationally in education results. According to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) fully 70 percent of the countries that recently outperformed the United States in combined math and science literacy among 15-year-olds had more school choice. It should come as no surprise, then, that the current and the past four U.S. Presidencies representing both major political parties, have all spoken in support of expanded educational choice.
In 2008, a Friedman Foundation survey indicated that the vast majority of Idaho voters support school choice. However, recently proposed legislation meant to expand charter schools and choice in Idaho was halted. Why? Because nationally and locally, proponents of protecting the status quo in education have deep pockets and political resources to fight against education choice. Their actions have been compared to the carnival game “Whack-a Mole.” Whenever good options emerge, they whack the mallet down. Parental choice? WHACK! Charter schools? WHACK! Virtual schooling? WHACK! Removing the cap? WHACK!
Increasing education freedom is one of the most practical and fiscally responsible ways for policymakers to improve the quality of education. Simply providing families with additional options in the education of their children has a larger independent effect on student achievement than increasing education spending. As consumers of public education, Idaho taxpayers should applaud and support policymakers that are fighting for what works – more public school options, not less.
Leslie Mauldin
President, Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families
Director, Idahoans for Choice in Education
