Why Not Abolish Public Schools?

The purpose of this blog is to stimulate reflection and public debate on the need for a public school system. In the State of Texas where I live total public education spending is around $108 billion dollars. Average annual school district expenditures per student is about $12,300. In contrast a local Catholic school near me has a per student cost of about $7,212 per year.

If the tax burden imposed by public school systems were abolished, wouldn’t education become a commodity subject to the forces of a free market system? Under that system the parents of those children to be educated would determine what is to be taught and would be free to choose the school the parents think would best do the job. Likewise, there would be competition among schools to attract students, resulting in continuous improvement in the quality of education available.

So what about the poor or underprivileged families? I, for one attended Catholic schools from Kindergarten through 12^th grade. The administrators of schools I attended made accommodations that made it possible for poor students to attend. Then consider that the parent(s) of poor children must prioritize what is important. Perhaps forgoing the cost of television, a cell phone or video game to provide for their child’s education in in order. In addition, the existing welfare system could provide money for a private school. In that case the only restriction to be imposed on the parent(s) is to use the money for education only.

I think many of the discipline problems occurring in the public school system could be eradicated by abolishing the public schools. If a student doesn’t want to learn, why try to force him or her? I believe education would then be looked upon by society as a privilege and attract students to school. A student who wants to learn is preferable to one who is being coerced.