Comments on: Strickland: Ohio’s Narcissus http://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/blog/2008/07/27/strickland-ohios-narcissus/ Up To The Minute Analysis Of Ohio Public Policy Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:30:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: James Nesbitt http://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/blog/2008/07/27/strickland-ohios-narcissus/#comment-727 James Nesbitt Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:34:15 +0000 http://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/blog/?p=2230#comment-727 I agree that there is a small chance that Governor Strickland’s plan may result in some surprisingly positive results. However, his “Conversations on Education” are not a sincere attempt to solicit the input of the voting base in the development of that plan, as he wishes you to believe. I am not critiquing his plan at all here, as one does not yet exist. However, I am criticizing the misleading tactic he is using to convince the voters their “voices are heard” and their suggestions are given weight and examining the motives behind his actions. The problems of incentives created by collective action have been detailed by many economists (most notably by Mancur Olson). I am merely bringing it to the attention of Ohioans that the theory applies to this case. School choice indeed extends beyond the services offered by charter schools; this is why I refer to voucher programs as well, which would allow students to choose any school, whether charter, private, or another public program. Milton Friedman heavily advocated vouchers as a way to effect school choice. A combination of voucher programs and charter schools are the best transition given the current structure of our education system, but they should by no means be the end goal for truly free choice in education. I agree that there is a small chance that Governor Strickland’s plan may result in some surprisingly positive results. However, his “Conversations on Education” are not a sincere attempt to solicit the input of the voting base in the development of that plan, as he wishes you to believe.
I am not critiquing his plan at all here, as one does not yet exist. However, I am criticizing the misleading tactic he is using to convince the voters their “voices are heard” and their suggestions are given weight and examining the motives behind his actions. The problems of incentives created by collective action have been detailed by many economists (most notably by Mancur Olson). I am merely bringing it to the attention of Ohioans that the theory applies to this case.
School choice indeed extends beyond the services offered by charter schools; this is why I refer to voucher programs as well, which would allow students to choose any school, whether charter, private, or another public program. Milton Friedman heavily advocated vouchers as a way to effect school choice. A combination of voucher programs and charter schools are the best transition given the current structure of our education system, but they should by no means be the end goal for truly free choice in education.

]]> By: Marc Schare http://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/blog/2008/07/27/strickland-ohios-narcissus/#comment-723 Marc Schare Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:41:45 +0000 http://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/blog/?p=2230#comment-723 Perhaps Buckeye should let the governor come out with a plan before you trash it. If he is true to his word, we will see a redesigned from the ground up education delivery system. I admit it is unlikely, but it is surely possible that charters will play a role. Almost any significant change will impact his political base. It would be impossible for the Governor to design a less efficient system than what already exists. Since his base benefits from this inefficiency, it is logical to assume that the impact to his base will be negative. My read on Governor Strickland is that he would take the political hit if he believes it would make a difference. It is interesting that Buckeye equates "School Choice" with charter schools. The two are not the same. If the Governor breaks the connection between where you live and which school you attend, would that satisfy the school choice advocates, even if your choice of school is between public schools? Assuming the governor takes this step, and he must if he is to provide individualized learning, it is not that big a stretch to include charters in the mix. Time will tell. Perhaps Buckeye should let the governor come out with a plan before you trash it. If he is true to his word, we will see a redesigned from the ground up education delivery system. I admit it is unlikely, but it is surely possible that charters will play a role.

Almost any significant change will impact his political base. It would be impossible for the Governor to design a less efficient system than what already exists. Since his base benefits from this inefficiency, it is logical to assume that the impact to his base will be negative. My read on Governor Strickland is that he would take the political hit if he believes it would make a difference.

It is interesting that Buckeye equates “School Choice” with charter schools. The two are not the same. If the Governor breaks the connection between where you live and which school you attend, would that satisfy the school choice advocates, even if your choice of school is between public schools? Assuming the governor takes this step, and he must if he is to provide individualized learning, it is not that big a stretch to include charters in the mix.

Time will tell.

]]>