public schools

I oppose free-market fundamentalism on every front, but when it comes public education, I find myself nodding in partial agreement with John Hood. Despite his extremism on many issues, he is an increasingly articulate spokesperson on the need for "competition" in public schools. I don't know if he's toned down his over-heated rhetoric on the issue - or perhaps I'm drifting in his direction - but his column today addresses many of my own long-standing concerns. Naturally, there is much that I don't agree with, including his grounding premise:

For me, debates about parental choice and school reform come down to productivity. I don’t doubt the good intentions and efforts of most public-school leaders and educators (growing up as the child of two public-school employees may well explain my predilections here). And I have long favored a governmental role in ensuring that all children have access to educational opportunities (though this does not mean that governments must operate schools, only that taxpayers will fund many of them).

Among all the hypocrisies of the libertarian wing of the North Carolina Party of Greed, their hypocrisy around protecting young people from being monetized by commercial interests or proselytized by religious interests is most damning. Carrying the banner of free-market fundamentalism, they believe businesses should be free to exploit children with no restrictions - and that it's just fine to reallocate tax dollars into "faith-based" initiatives like religious charter schools. "What's the problem?" they ask. The marketplace will eventually work things out and the best ideas will win in the end.

For my part, the line between church and state is both broad and bright. Though I am personally a regular church-goer and student of all things religious, I strongly object to any instance in which government sanctions, embraces or endorses any aspect of religious practice. Institutional prayer in public meetings, schools, courts, and other government-funded activities should be strictly forbidden - as Jesus specifically recommended.