Fox29Fan's Blog

In recent months, I have been thinking about the broken school system in America. I mean I haven't been loosing sleep over it, but it has been on my mind. As a seventeen-year-old highschool student I believe I see the failures in America's schools. Therefore, I'd like to share my opinions on how to tackle the problem of America's public schools. Please comment me with your feed back and ideas. Don't be shy! If you think i'm being crazy then say it, or if you think I'm a genius..you can certainly say that too.

To me the fix to this problem is simple. It all begins with the fact that our schools are "socialized" (being funded by the government, and the taxpayer's money). In this blog I will be referring to our public schools as "socialized" schools. This is mainly because I believe the public does not control them. I mean when is the last time the superintendent of schools in your neighborhood called you up and asked for your opinion on how to run them? Let me answer: NEVER!

Anyways back to the point. By having these schools socialized we have in essence created a monopoly. Throughout American history we have learned that all monopolies are bad for the consumer or "public" because of the lack of competition. Think of it like this: there is only one cable company where you live. They are raising their prices and cutting back on services, but because you want to stay connected to the outside world you have no choice but to keep them as your provider. That example directly correlates to the public school system in America. If your children have to attend socialized schools (you cannot afford private education); then you have no choice but to send them to the schools in your district regardless of whether or not that district is slacking. Therefore, becuase of the lack of options you are left with an inferior product: an uneducated child.

You're now probably thinking about how to fix this problem. As simple as the reason for the problem, the answer to it is just as easy. If a socialized school performs badly in educating its students (ie. below average scores in testing) it still recieves the same amount of aid as a school that has students who excel. Here in lies the solution to the problem. Let me break it down for you with this example. Say you have two McDonalds in your neighborhood. One is clean, friendly, quick, and they know how to assemble those Big-Macs just right! The other one though is just the opposite performing poorly. Which McDonalds do you think will stay in business longer? The good one, right? Of course! The lousy MickeyDs will loose customers or go out of bussiness unless it cleans up its act.

Now let's relate this to our broken school system. If you are given other alternatives as to where you can send your children (schools outside your district, etc) then the underperforming schools in your area will be forced to make improvements so that they can stay in business. Believe it or not the solution is just that easy. I know you're thinking well how do we achieve this? That answer is too simple.

Basically, instead of just giving our schools free reign over their money; we should make them work fot it. Therefore, I propose that we attach the money to the child. Ie. If attached to each child say was $4,000 for one school year, then the schools would have to attract students to come there so that they could recieve the money attached to the child and stay in business. How would they attract the students? By simply improving test scores, firing bad teachers, and maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

Well this is only one small step to fixing an increasingly big problem. In the future I hope to tackle more issues having to do with our schools. I hope you enjoyed my argument. Tonight, though I urge you to contact government officials whether it be through email, snail mail, or telephone and pressure them into fixing the system. If we do not fix it soon it will be too late and there will be no going back.

Thanks,
FOX29FAN