Our schools are in trouble. Test scores are down. Costs are up. There is a growing conviction that American schools are not turning out youngsters who possess knowledge and skills needed by contributing members of society. Milton Friedman suggests that the crux of the schools' problem is the erosion of parental control. Centralization has resulted in a gradual transfer of power from parents to professional school authorities. School bureaucracies, Dr. Friedman points out, often have goals far different from those of the parents of school children. They tend to be more concerned with job security and employment benefits than with quality education, though they may profess a primary concern for the latter.
Dr. Friedman suggests that the market system could work in education. He recommends a "voucher" system. Under this plan, parents would be given vouchers in an amount equivalent to what typically is paid now to support one child for one year in the school. These vouchers could be "spent" at any school of the parents' choice -- wherever parents felt their children might receive the best education. This system would again actively involve parents in the educational process. Schools catering to diverse interests would grow up. There would be clear incentives for schools to concern themselves with the quality of education being provided.
Dr. Friedman is also concerned about the inequity of public support for institutions of higher learning. He points out that young people who attend state colleges and universities are being subsidized with taxes collected from all the people, poor as well as rich. Yet, as a result of their subsidized education, these individuals will make higher than average incomes. Dr. Friedman suggests it would be more equitable if those who realize the benefits of education bear the costs.
