We blogged the last couple of days about the "Vision for Missouri Public Education"...it is the plan (now not for taxpayers' eyes) to fundamentally transform Missouri education. We believe it is a renamed plan for Race to the Top that will cost us millions of dollars and cede state control of educational decisions.
We don't believe in the Cass Sunstein theory of "Nudge". Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro based her first proposal for RTTT funds based on this theory. People need to be "nudged" by their governments to make correct decisions. Apparently she believes parents need to be pushed into educational decisions for their children because we are ineffective and unable to make good decisions without the government's assistance.
We have a much easier, less costly, and truly empowering plan for parents in making educational decisions. Here is an excerpt from a group named National School Choice Week:
Our message is simple: we need a K-12 education system that provides a wide array of options. We need an effective education system that has the flexibility to personalize and motivate students and allow parents to choose the school that is best for their child.
WOW!!! This is the FIRST educational plan I've run across that doesn't focus on "stakeholders", "human capital", and mandates. It centers on students and parents and the ability to choose. THAT'S what taxpayers deserve for their children...the ability to choose. The monopoly known as public education doesn't work. Even though federal funding has increased 180% over 40 years, test scores have flatlined.
True competition will weed out the bad schools and teachers. Choosing your school will allow for true motivation for your child to succeed...isn't that the original idea when charters were created? Why shouldn't this choice option be available to all children for all schools; charter, public, private, homeschooling?
Why would the Department of Education be so frightened of parents and students having a choice in where they want to attend school? Why aren't parents given an option to have their tax money be spent (and decided by the parents) in an appropriate educational setting for their child?
It's the difference between the theory of "empowering" vs. "nudging". The Constitution spells out the rights afforded to us by the Creator; I don't remember it granting the Federal government to right to nudge.
This is listed on the School Choice Week website:
On January 23-29, 2011, School Choice advocates will gather all across the nation to shine a spotlight on effective education options for every child.
I sure would love to see this week listed on the DESE calendar.
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