Long rant... school budget cuts.

[Skiploder]

So, how does this get fixed?

I'm curious to hear ideas.


You know, I've put a lot of thought into this. I doubt there is a way to fix our education system. It's too mired in bureaucracy.

It doesn't.

We haven't even touched on the amount of unfunded (California anyway) teacher retirement pensions that are going to suck up more tax dollars ($43 billion). Other States have similar problems.

One way is to privatize the education system. Back out the tax dollars you pay on education (54% of the general fund in my state) or make the money spent on education pre-tax dollars and therefore a deduction applied to your taxable income.

Studies have shown that private school costs about 1/3 less (on average) than public school - but this does not take into account special needs kids.

The problem is that the infrastructure is not there for a immediate dissolution of the public education system. In the meantime - allow people who send their kids to private schools to claim that money as a deduction on their state tax return.

Or we could go the way of the voucher system..........Sweden and Hong Kong are two countries who have implemented this system with success. Problem is that the Public School Unions and the NEA are very powerful and politically influential and repeatedly block any attempts at either implementing a voucher system or reforming the public education system.

These are also the same unions who are draining State coffers for unsustainable pension packages. One wonders why they would be afraid of some private competition.........