NC education a better model
“There's no dutch treat on North Carolina education,” (Feb. 3) by John Hood, of the John Locke Foundation, merits a more enlightened consideration. This particular edition of “Carolina Watch” propagates the notion that North Carolina overspends on the entrenched interest that is public education.
The readers of the Watauga Democrat should pause and consider the consequences of a move toward European-style schools and privatized funding.
If North Carolina were to adapt a system similar to that of Belgium, we would create four distinct tracks of study for middle school and high school students. In addition to a formalized separation of students, instruction would be delivered in the language of distinct language communities. Belgium schools are operated in Flemish, Dutch, French and German. Such a scheme could hardly be a cost-saving measure.
According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the per pupil expenditure for 2009-2010 was $8,451. If a greater move to private schools were to be undertaken, few families could afford a similar amount in tuition. Tax credits and vouchers are useless to those living in poverty. At what point would economics begin to segregate schools?
One of the greatest successes of North Carolina schools has been, and will continue to be, opportunity. All students, regardless of means, are welcome. The motivated, animated and dedicated student is met with challenges, guidance and the opportunity to succeed. The lowest-performing schools in North Carolina have high-performing students.
Let us not deprive any student of the opportunities that need to be available to all students. Public education is a great public service. It should not be a commodity to be bargained to the highest or lowest bidder. Thomas Jefferson should inspire us when he writes, “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people ... they are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
Jonathan MillerBoone
The readers of the Watauga Democrat should pause and consider the consequences of a move toward European-style schools and privatized funding.
If North Carolina were to adapt a system similar to that of Belgium, we would create four distinct tracks of study for middle school and high school students. In addition to a formalized separation of students, instruction would be delivered in the language of distinct language communities. Belgium schools are operated in Flemish, Dutch, French and German. Such a scheme could hardly be a cost-saving measure.
According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the per pupil expenditure for 2009-2010 was $8,451. If a greater move to private schools were to be undertaken, few families could afford a similar amount in tuition. Tax credits and vouchers are useless to those living in poverty. At what point would economics begin to segregate schools?
One of the greatest successes of North Carolina schools has been, and will continue to be, opportunity. All students, regardless of means, are welcome. The motivated, animated and dedicated student is met with challenges, guidance and the opportunity to succeed. The lowest-performing schools in North Carolina have high-performing students.
Let us not deprive any student of the opportunities that need to be available to all students. Public education is a great public service. It should not be a commodity to be bargained to the highest or lowest bidder. Thomas Jefferson should inspire us when he writes, “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people ... they are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
Jonathan MillerBoone