EDUCATION POLICY

I recently read a posting from Robert Wise of the Alliance for Excellent Education in which he argues that “important forces have converged. The equity imperative that all children have a quality education joins with the national economic imperative that demands a quality workforce.” His point is that with these demands, and state and local governments suffering financially, the only way the desired outcomes can occur is if the federal government plays the lead role.  This notion of loss of local control absolutely sends shivers down the spines of many people…and there is good reason for it.  But that said, from both a financial and outcomes standpoint, it is hard to see how we can do much worse than we have in addressing both the need for quality education and an appropriate workforce to keep the US competitive in the 21st century.  The new stimulus package working its way through Congress is seen by many as a precursor of expanded federal control over education and, though I still debate the plusses and minuses in my own mind, do not view that as a bad thing.  We are at a crisis point in this country–and it is time to put behind us certain old baggage, even concepts that were part of the fabric of this country since its founding.  There will always be, and should be, a local role in delivering education..but the huge disparities between what is available in different parts of this country can no longer justified, in my opinion, if they ever could, by appeals to state’s rights and federalism.  We have to see what will transpire after the population of Washington governmental offices by individuals who apparently view the merging of equity and economic imperatives as an opportunity to do great new things.