Bill Felkner of the Ocean State Policy Research Institute got it right with his Sunday Journal commentary. He is wary of bureaucrats, armed with good ideas, seizing power from local schools and districts. Commissioner Deborah Gist is making positive changes, but in doing so is solidifying greater authority at the state level. Felkner argues on behalf of parents.
Ultimately, the balance of power must be shifted from government to the parents. This is the free-market approach to education reform: Instead of changes being centrally dictated by a mayor, superintendent or education commissioner, they are driven by the cumulative choices of individual parents. This ensures that purchasing power is in the hands of those with the most vested interest.
The new school-funding formula Gist proposes is the perfect opportunity to greatly expand choices for parents. A per-pupil formula would let the money be tagged to individual students, following them to any geographically reasonable public school, mayoral academy, charter school or even a private school.
The proposed funding formula does, in fact, attach money to students. Why not allow parents choice in determining where that money will be spent?
The legislature approved today a measure to increase the number of charter schools allowed in the state. And if success at the BV Mayoral Academy continues, expect to see more of these schools in the near future. These are real choices for parents.
As I have argued again and again, decision-making power should be ensured and maintained at the local level, within the school communities that know their students strengths and needs. Centralizing power, whether with the unions or bureaucrats, has the same effect; it hinders our attempts to provide kids with the very best education, the education they deserve.
