If Gov. Snyder and a GOP Legislature really want to help Detroit Students (and those in other troubled districts as well), here is what they can do beginning in January.
Currently, per pupil funding is allocated directly to public school districts to the tune of approximately $7,100/student.
Instead, those monies should be redirected from the school districts to instead go directly to the parents via an educational tax credit (similar to the EITC) for them to spend on their child/childrens education in any way they see fit with absolutely no strings attached.
If the parents are satisfied with their children's education, then nothing changes. They simply sign over their credit(s) to that public school district.
If not, then that parent is free to take their child/children along with the money directly to where they feel they would get the best education and are accepted by that school.
For any naysayers who feel that this isn't realistic, I am not aware of any school district that would not want more money to add to their budget.
Parents who feel trapped can move wherever they want.
Parents who chose to send their children to Private, Parochial, Montessori or even Home School will no longer be double-charged for their children's education.
No longer having a captive client base will force schools to quickly become more adaptive (and cost efficient), or risk literally going out of business and the entire staff losing their jobs.
I feel that this has the most realistic chance of getting approved very quickly, and will be easier to pass than tenure reform or imposing any type of educational standards on districts.
Parent
