Education 
Recommended
The Real Cost of Public Schools
Cato education policy analyst Adam Schaeffer explains how many public school districts across the country lie about spending figures per student, making schools look more efficient than the reality. Schaeffer notes that a real debate on education alternatives - such as private schools and school vouchers - cannot take place without transparency. The Cato Institute has recently published a Policy Analysis by Schaeffer entitled, "They Spend WHAT? The Real Cost of Public Schools."
Federal Education: Too Much for Too Little
In light of the ballooning costs of the federal education system and its stagnant results, Cato education scholar Neal McCluskey calls for action. McCluskey notes that education is essential, but states that "federal involvement absolutely is not," because education "works best when tailored to the unique needs of individual people and communities." In the current system, those whose livelihoods rest on the government-dominated education system are the ones in positions to expand it, while those negatively effected by it – the American people – are occupied living their lives without the knowledge that federal education is costing more while providing less. McCluskey therefore offers a solution, "Get the feds out of education."
Are You Ready for Some Football... and Taxes?
It's college football bowl season, and with 34 games to choose from, viewers have a lot of choice. However, one choice the public does not have is who is going to pay for the games. Cato scholar Neal McCluskey reveals that college football is subsidized by taxpayers. He outlines how bowl games get direct subsidies, tax-exemption status, and how most public universities end up running deficits that are passed on to students and taxpayers. "While college-gridiron fans will tell you that many major programs make money, what they won't tell you is that they do so largely with taxpayer help. And when those programs lose money, taxpayers are hit even harder" McCluskey says, adding that "With the most exciting part of the college football season upon us, you'd better take in all the games. After all, you're paying for them."
Charter Schools Key to Rescuing Michigan
It's no surprise that the state of Michigan is facing looming budget deficits and cuts to programs such as education. However, Andrew Coulson, Cato's Director of the Center for Educational Freedom, explains how this situation gives the state an opportunity to turn things around through freeing education. Coulson documents how charter schools are more effective at graduating more students with better education; they also cost 20 percent less while having more teachers per student. Educational reform in Michigan is inevitable, so making it more effective and less costly sounds like a great idea, especially when we're talking about our country’s future.
Following China on Education... Bad Idea
Cato education scholar Neal McCluskey compares Obama's education objectives with that of China, where the number of college graduates has been dramatically increasing. Obama has stated a commitment to churn out more college graduates, and he has dedicated the funds to do so. But, McCluskey notes, there are problems when simply increasing the number of graduates. One issue will be, as it already is in China, “(not) nearly enough jobs to employ all the newly credentialed.” If America doesn’t change course, Obama’s investments in education will largely be a waste.
Ivy League Diversity Contortions
John Stossel, former 20/20 anchor and new Fox Business contributor, presents the issue of discriminatory affirmative action practices at ivy league schools. Examining several studies on college admissions, it turns out that sometimes the determining factor of admission is as deep as the color of one's skin. These policies have been defended by university administrators, who say that not discriminating would “severely limit the level of minority enrollment at top-tier colleges.” Stossel notes that, "Every slot that an undeserving student occupies comes at the expense of a student who earned it."
Policy Forum: Taking Control of Spiraling College Costs
"Rising at a faster rate than even health care costs, the price of college is skyrocketing."
The Cato Institute will host a policy forum on the topic of Spiraling College Costs, on October 6th. Cato education scholar Neal McCluskey personally extended an invitation to CatoOnCampus visitors for this event. Join us for this event that bears more heavily on students than anyone else.
And if you can't attend the event, watch it online here.
Kids Sing Obama-Praises
'-- Hello, Mr. President we honor you today! --
-- For all your great accomplishments, we all doth say “hooray!” --'
Thus rang the words not of the Democratic party but of our nation's public school-children. Neal McCluskey, Cato education policy scholar, notes that a disturbing aspect of this issue isn't the fact that such a display took place, but what the district superintendent said, "The recording and distribution of the class activity were not authorized." McCluskey says, "Allow me to summarize: This is an outrage — who the heck let you people know what was going on in my school?"
Hey, Mr. President, Leave Those Kids Alone
In his weekly Washington Examiner column, Cato VP Gene Healy calls for a back-peddling of Presidential involvement, particularly in our schools. President Obama is scheduled to address school children nationwide on September 8th to, with the help of lesson plans from the Dept. of Education, "inspire" kids to serve their fellow classmates, their future, and their elected officials - which Healy views not only as partisan, but an over-step of power. "The framers thought of the president as a mere constitutional officer, whose main job is taking care that the laws are faithfully executed. Students -- and presidents -- could stand to learn a lot more about how far we've drifted from that ideal."
Is College a Scam?
In a short video, 20/20 Co-Anchor John Stossel analyzes the $75.1 billion industry of higher education and the statement by Pres. Obama that, “We expect all our children not just to graduate high school, but to graduate college and get a good-paying job.” He evaluates that claim by looking at data and interviewing students, professors, administrators and professionals. The figures of college success typically touted by public figures are based on skewed data, and it's probable that many of the people who make good money after college could have done just as well without it, and not been under all the debt.