The education monopoly
I think most people do not believe that monopolies are not a good thing for consumers. Think about the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (now AT&T)- I think most of us are at least somewhat familiar with the telephone giant’s former monopoly on phone services. According to Wikipedia, as early as 1907 the president of the company was pursuing a goal of “One Policy, One System, Universal Service.”
Well, long-story short, eventually consumers got sick and tired of the monopoly, anti-trust lawsuits were filed, and the government stepped in to break-up the monopoly. Today, most consumers enjoy far more choices when it comes to phone service options.
Lack of competition creates apathy. Perhaps even laziness. And they usually artificially drive up costs.
So why would a government-run education monopoly be a good thing? How can one be opposed to a business monopoly but support a government-controlled monopoly?
Okay, so I know some critics will immediately say “but this is EDUCATION, not a business!” – emphasizing that education is more important than any business. Well yes, education is more important- so why on earth would we allow it to be controlled by a destructive monopoly?? Then those critics may start on some silly line of non-reasoning saying things about how education is too important to be entrusted to anyone other than the government and how can we trust what is being taught in schools not controlled by government (or some other really incoherent and ridiculous argument- I’m sure you’ve heard them before). Well then one might ask them where President Obama received his education? Just saying…
Anyways, in today’s NY Times, Thomas Friedman has an insightful opinion piece underscoring the importance of high-quality education. In The New Untouchables, he writes:
That is the key to understanding our full education challenge today. Those who are waiting for this recession to end so someone can again hand them work could have a long wait. Those with the imagination to make themselves untouchables — to invent smarter ways to do old jobs, energy-saving ways to provide new services, new ways to attract old customers or new ways to combine existing technologies — will thrive. Therefore, we not only need a higher percentage of our kids graduating from high school and college — more education — but we need more of them with the right education.
We do need to equip our children with the right education. But I’d argue that the right education will not be found in a one-size fits all model. The right education will be different for every child, and our education reforms must start with that in mind.
The other week I mentioned the Kindergarten Fair being held here for families to learn more about local public and private schools. It was a great event- but it truly highlights the difference between the private schools and the public school monopoly. Since approximately 92% of students in Virginia attend the public schools already- they don’t really have to “compete” for students. Plus they know that their funding is guaranteed. And it showed. The representatives from the local public school system appeared apathetic and rather uninterested in even being there, especially when compared to the energy and excitement expressed by the various representatives of the various private schools. The private school reps knew that they had to “sell” their schools and their unique programs- they actually have to compete for students.
So if an AT&T monopoly was bad for consumers- isn’t it time we declare a government-controlled education monopoly to also be bad for consumers? Our children deserve better.
