Education

The price for more funding is increased parental choice

February 11, 2015

Brandon Dutcher

Education Week’s annual “Quality Counts” report card was released last month. Once again, the news was not good.

“Oklahoma received a D+ grade and a 48th-place finish among the 50 states and District of Columbia in Education’s Week’s annual rankings of education quality indicators,” the Tulsa World reported.

“A new report finds Oklahoma is near the bottom of the list nationally on the quality of education it provides to students,” Oklahoma Watch added.

“Oklahoma is considered to be among the worst states in the nation at preparing children for college and careers,” The Oklahoman reported.

As powerful interests continue to call for more government spending on Oklahoma’s education system, OCPA distinguished fellow Andrew Spiropoulos says it’s time for our state’s political leaders to be brutally honest with citizens.

We need to hear that we have increased education spending by millions upon millions of dollars, but our children’s performance has not meaningfully improved. We also need to hear that our performance won’t improve if we continue to do what we have always done. The education establishment, most obviously, needs to hear that the price for more funding is tougher standards, genuine accountability and increased parental choice.

It isn’t easy or pleasant to tell people what they don’t want to hear. But it’s the indispensable foundation of effective leadership.