Marketing solutions to education reform

The Washington Policy Center hosted Sunrise Solutions, the topic was Education Money for Families (education accounts).

As a parent who chose a private school instead of public schools so my kids could get a good education, I understand their concern. My kids brought me back into the public school system (long story) so I became an active and involved parent. During that time I saw how parents who resented others’ success worked to destroy what was actually working in the public school system. Then, as a consultant, working to change public schools, I really understand how intractable it can be!

My sadness was being branded the “enemy” when I ask two questions: how does the money flow, and should all kids be given a good education? The fear the latter raised was telling. I saw a retreat back into fixed, familiar and rigid “marketplace” rhetoric to reassure themselves that they were right. There was a need to retreat to the comfortable because; the “market” solution does NOT ensure that all kids get a good education. By not addressing that Achilles heel in “market” thinking, their contribution to improving our education system is vastly diminished.

Kathryn Alexander

Spokane