Many families still call them “public schools,” but that term no longer reflects reality. Public schools once implied that schools belonged to we the people—where parents had a meaningful voice in the education, values, and direction of their children’s learning. Today, much of that authority has been transferred from parents to the state, with government agencies, bureaucracies, and political interests increasingly controlling curriculum, policies, and outcomes.
“After careful review, Public School Exit and its Advisory Board have concluded that the term ‘public school’ no longer accurately conveys the true nature of the institution,” said Dran Reese, President of Public School Exit. “What was once a system influenced by parents has increasingly become a state-controlled system funded by taxpayers but directed by government authorities. As a result, we believe the terms ‘public school’ and even ‘state-run government schools’ are becoming obsolete. The new term we believe more accurately describes the education many children receive today is ‘welfare-based education.”
She goes on to say, “The most common reason parents give for not exiting their children from these schools is that they cannot afford to.” In that sense, the system has increasingly become a form of dependency on government-provided educational assistance—simply put, public assistance for financially vulnerable families.
Parents should expect that if they leave their children in a “welfare-based education” system, they are most likely to receive a substandard education and certainly will not be taught in the manner of the Founders of our nation, many of whom could read the Bible by age six. They also risk exposing their children to ideologies, influences, and behaviors that may conflict with the values taught at home. Concerns over bullying, drug use, violence, and other harmful activities have become increasingly common in many schools, creating challenges that can hinder both academic achievement and Christian character development.
Across the nation, the statistics are alarming. Too many students are graduating unable to read, write, or perform math at grade level, while academic achievement continues to decline and America’s educational standing has fallen behind many other nations. This entire system of welfare-based education still costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year, yet often produces not only a substandard education, but one devoid of many of the learning methods and principles that helped make America great.
Public School Exit believes parents—not government bureaucracies—should hold the primary authority and responsibility for directing the education of their children, and that every family should have access to educational options that best meet their child’s needs.