Can we meet Governor Hunt's Education Goals?
The Libertarian Party of North Carolina praised Governor Jim Hunt for
setting the goal of making North Carolina first in the nation in education.
Hunt's remarks came from his annual "State of the State" address, delivered
to the General Assembly on Monday.
However, the Libertarians noted, Gov. Hunt ignored the only way to
achieve this goal -- giving parents the power to choose the schools their
children can attend.
"The Governor is absolutely right that North Carolina's education
system can become the model by which other states are measured," replied
Sean Haugh, State Chair of the Libertarian Party. "Unfortunately, he is
sabotaging this noble goal by promoting billions of dollars more for public
school bureaucracy."
For several years, the Libertarian Party has advocated a $2500
education tax credit. This tax credit would be available to anyone who
sponsors a child through one year of private or home schooling. The option
would be available not only to parents, but to other individuals,
businesses and private organizations as well.
Haugh noted that among Hunt's measures of "true excellence in
education," is the goal of "getting parents, business and communities
involved in the schools."
"Our proposal is the best way to achieve community involvement,"
countered Haugh. "Many businesses would gladly invest $2500 in a child's
education if they could take it off their tax bill."
Haugh noted that the figure of $2500 was chosen because that is the
average cost of a year at a private school in North Carolina. On the other
hand, it costs North Carolina taxpayers over $7,000 per year for each
students in the public schools.
Hunt claimed, "we can lead the nation in education." He continued,
"It means being first in educating and equipping them to compete with
anybody anywhere. It means being the first in outworking and outthinking
our competitors across the nation and around the world."
"Since Governor Hunt is so big on competition," said Haugh, "we're
surprised that he doesn't see the best way to meet his goal. To make
North Carolina number one in education, we must encourage competition
between schools. The only way to do that is to give the power of
educational choice back to the parents. Our proposal for a $2500 education
tax credit accomplishes this."
Surprisingly, Hunt did not mention charter schools in his speech. Yet
charter schools represent another avenue for increasing the competitiveness
of public schools.
Haugh said the most stunning contradiction of Hunt's speech was his
threat to veto any bill which gives parents greater power to take their
children from public school and place them in private school. "For the
Governor to state the goals so eloquently, then reject out of hand the only
possible way to achieve those goals, is the best argument yet for
permanently separating school and state."
"Governor Hunt's lofty goals are ones all North Carolinians should
endorse," said Haugh. "However, there is no sense at all in expecting
progress by placing faith solely in the failed government education
monopoly. Progress can only be achieved when parents and teachers, not
Governors and bureaucrats, are the ones making the
choices."
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