|
David Redick on Education
Republican Senate Challenger
|
School prayer inappropriately inserts unshared religion
Q: Should prayer be permitted in public schools?A: No. People are forced to pay for public schools by property and other taxes, and must pay twice if they attend a private school. Thus, the schools are shared by believers of various faiths and
non-believers. It would be unfair for one or more religious groups to insert their religious activities into a shared system jointly owned by others. This is a violation of property rights by trespassing (occupying another's property without permission).
Source: Email interview with OnTheIssues.org
Mar 6, 2006
Vouchers are a step in the right direction
Q: Should parents be able to choose schools via vouchers? A: Yes, as a first step, then tuition. Schools at all levels (K thru college) should be funded by tuition paid by parents, scholarships, etc., with no restrictions on what is taught, so long
as not inciting illegal conduct. Vouchers are a step in the right direction, but then the government is still using taxes to raise the funds and giving some of it back, with strings attached. Vouchers should be phased out.
Source: Email interview with OnTheIssues.org
Mar 6, 2006
Make all schools private nonprofits
Education of children is the responsibility of parents as to amount and type. The same benefits we enjoy from a free market in food, cars, etc. (as to variety of types, and cost) would apply if schools were all private nonprofits.
Parents would instantly `be involved' to be sure they were getting their money's worth. School administrators would instantly treat students and parents as customers who seek a good service, and can shop around for it!
Good teachers would get raises the same way an engineer does (ask if you feel you deserve it, or quit & go to a competitor). Good teachers attract customers. Parents would monitor curriculum content & teacher quality and negotiate for changes, or leave.
Poor quality schools would be exposed by independent testing services or college entrance exams. This would reduce incentive for administrators to engage in grade inflation, because they would get caught.
Source: Campaign website, www.redick2006.com, "Issues"
Feb 22, 2006
Phase-out property taxes as a source of school revenue
Dave says we should, 1) Allow creation of private nonprofit schools without government controls, 2) Phase-out property taxes as a source of revenue for government schools (payments have no relationship to having kids in school), and replace with tuition,
and 3) Write tax laws that encourage donors to create scholarships and endowments to provide affordable access to these private nonprofit schools for needy students. All these changes will allow parents to choose the school that best fits their
children's needs (including religion) instead of pouring more tax dollars into the present failing system. 'Do-gooders' will complain that the above approach does not guarantee a certain level (to 9th or 12th grade?)
for every child due to negligent or poor parents. However, history shows that love and liberty produce much better results than government schools and rules, while private charity helps those in need.
Source: Campaign website, www.redick2006.com, "Issues"
Feb 22, 2006