Begin to dissolve the Department of Education and let the states set their standards with school vouchers to promote school choice. Even better, allow for private-public partnerships that will allow for a jobs based education for various industries and sectors, rather than a one size fits all system of theoretical academics. It would allow academics to be put to better use. I’m not the best at math, but I want to be an investment banker. This would help students find quicker employment.
Educational vouchers should be required for all instead of defaulting to state run schools. This would provide parents opportunity to potentially use any school of their choosing. This would provide a check and balance on state run schools and allow for religious schools to flourish. There must be no guidance from state regulators.
I wonder if just setting some expectations wouldn’t help. For example, if you can’t pass the 8th grade Iowa Basic Skills. You stay in middle school until you do.
If you can’t pass the GED exam, you can’t graduate from high school. You can attend a grade 13 for one more chance to succeed.
If you can’t get 20 on the ACT you can’t attend any type of higher education until you do.
The parents (and eventually the students) will demand better instruction. Some might even pay for it or get elected to a school board to help set curriculum that makes it happen.
Long overdue! You may want to change the title to include School Choice / Voucher