Posted by
voice_of_reason on Saturday, June 23, 2007 11:10:47 AM
Our K-12 system shortchanges all students, irrespective of ability. Like most Statist systems, it purports to eliminate the inequity of opportunity. But the result is a low-quality, high-cost system for all!
A common complaint that one hears about free enterprise education - or even about vouchers (which I consider a step in the right direction) - is that such a system would cater to bright kids, but leave behind below average kids as well as those with learning or physical disabilities. Such complaints are usually voiced as follows: "who would want those below average or disabled kids?"
Free enterprise education would satisfy the demands of bright kids, below-average kids as well as those with learning/physical disabilities. Parents will provide the demand for services commensurate with their kids' needs and abilities, and the market will provide the supply at a price that provides access for all. If a safety net is required for some extreme hardship cases, there could be some level of Govt aid.
So, who wants the below-average kids and those with disabilities? Answer: Private schools that specialize in those niches of the education market would seek out and actively market their services to parents whose kids need special attention. Are those schools likely to cost more? Yes. But probably not significantly more than the present average for all kids.
The most important result will be that with higher quality education there will actually be fewer below-average kids!
This is the point that eludes most supporters of Statist programs. Note: I don't mean that the availability of higher quality education will necessarily have a near-term positive effect on the IQ distribution. However, there will be a better match between the needs/abilities and the supply. As in all other cases, free market capitalism provides the best utilization of scarce resources.
If you disagree with the above: consider the American market for food, which remains mostly in the free-enterprise arena (notwithstanding agricultural subsidies, food stamps etc). Are there any significant problems with the production, delivery or access? No. If anything, there is an oversupply .. and some bad choices made by individuals that lead to overconsumption and obesity!
Without the 'benefit' of Govt control, Americans happily deal with food choices that bewilder visitors from countries with planned economies. To many fresh-off-the-boat visitors, a trip to an American grocery store is like a trip to Disneyworld!
Let's see if we can build on the education: food analogy by looking at the demand and supply. Of course, since there is choice in the system, parents can choose the type of program that meets the needs of their child and their budget.
* bright kids : consumers of gourmet foods [moderately expensive]
* average kids : the mass market, with the most choices, ranging from high-quality food and junk food [average cost, determined by parental choice]
* below average kids : specialty foods [moderately expensive]
* kids with disabilities and/or special needs : specialty foods, nutritional supplements [more expensive]