529. How Trump Will Save the School System | Corey DeAngelis
Mar 13, 2025
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Corey DeAngelis, a bestselling author and education policy researcher, shares his insights on the monopolies stifling public education. He discusses how school choice not only benefits individual students but can uplift the entire system. DeAngelis critiques the influence of teachers' unions and the inefficiencies they breed. He emphasizes the importance of parental rights in education, particularly in light of recent crises. With a focus on pragmatism, he argues for funding students directly and advocates for phonetic teaching methods to enhance literacy.
The monopolistic practices in U.S. public education limit competition and accountability, resulting in significantly poor educational outcomes for students.
School choice programs have been shown to improve student outcomes, reduce crime rates, and increase graduation probabilities by providing families with better alternatives.
The financial inefficiencies in public education, with excessive funds allocated to administrative costs, highlight the need for a more effective spending model centered on student achievement.
Deep dives
The Problem with Monopolies in Education
The education system in the U.S. suffers from a range of monopolistic practices, including geographic monopolies where students are limited to local schools based on their residence, state-mandated monopolies requiring school attendance, and teacher certification monopolies controlled by education faculties. This lack of competition has resulted in poor educational outcomes, with some areas reporting zero percent proficiency in subjects like math. The monopolistic structure diminishes the incentive for schools to improve, as they are not held accountable to families seeking quality education. Without alternatives, parents have limited power to challenge a failing system, leaving many children without the educational opportunities they deserve.
Impact of School Choice on Crime and Graduation Rates
Research indicates that school choice programs can lead to significant improvements in student outcomes, including reduced crime rates and higher graduation probabilities. For example, studies revealed that participating in voucher programs led to a 30% increase in the likelihood of graduating high school, and in some cases, such as a New York City charter school lottery, male students saw a 100% decrease in incarceration rates. These findings suggest that school choice not only empowers parents but can also contribute positively to community safety and future opportunities for children. The evidence supports the argument that access to better educational options can transform lives.
Financial Implications of Public School Funding
The financial burden of public education is significant, with schools costing taxpayers around $20,000 per student each year, often yielding insufficient educational outcomes. The spending has increased by over 160% since 1970, yet the improvements in student performance do not align with these expenditures. Critics argue that much of the funding is misallocated, with excessive resources directed towards administrative costs rather than classroom instruction. This inefficiency raises questions about how public funds are utilized and compels the need for a more effective allocation model centered on student outcomes.
Parental Rights and Educational Freedom
Parents have the fundamental right to determine their children's educational paths, and the school choice movement embodies this belief by advocating for funding that follows the child rather than the institution. Empowering parents to choose where to send their children fosters a more involved and proactive attitude towards education. Studies suggest that increased options lead to greater parental engagement, as families who have the means to explore alternative schools often do so. This shift not only enhances academic experiences but endorses family autonomy in deciding the best educational environment for their children.
The Political Landscape of School Choice
The dialogue around school choice is increasingly becoming a litmus test issue within political parties, particularly as parents demand greater involvement in their children's education. Instances in Virginia highlighted how public sentiment shifted dramatically towards school choice when parents felt their rights were being undermined. Republican candidates have started prioritizing educational freedom in their campaigns, recognizing the electoral weight of the issue. Conversely, opposition from teacher unions and certain politicians may narrow their appeal, as constituents grow weary of policies that stifle parental rights and school choice initiatives.
Micro Schools and Innovative Learning Models
The rise of micro schools exemplifies a shift towards flexible, community-based educational models that cater to small groups of children, often providing personalized instruction. This trend gained momentum during the pandemic when many families sought alternatives to traditional education as they faced prolonged school closures. Micro schools often operate at lower costs than public schooling while maintaining strong educational outcomes. By promoting such innovative approaches, the dialogue around school choice expands, allowing for diverse learning environments that meet various family needs.
Jordan Peterson sits down with bestselling author, commentator, and researcher, Dr. Corey DeAngelis. They shed light on where 50% of all state budgets are spent, the surprising stack of monopolies that strangleholds public education, the partisan lies surrounding school choice, and the truth every parent needs to know: school choice uplifts all students.
Dr. Corey A. DeAngelis is a senior fellow at the American Culture Project and a visiting fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research. He has been labeled the “school choice evangelist” and called “the most effective school choice advocate since Milton Friedman.” He is a regular on Fox News and frequently appears in The Wall Street Journal. DeAngelis is also the executive director at Educational Freedom Institute, a senior fellow at Reason Foundation, an adjunct scholar at Cato Institute, a board member at Liberty Justice Center, and a senior advisor at Accuracy in Media. He holds a Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Arkansas. He is the national bestselling author of “The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools.”
This episode was filmed on February 28th, 2025.
| Links |
For Corey DeAngelis:
On X https://x.com/DeAngelisCorey?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Read his most recent book “The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools” https://amzn.to/4h3wAeK
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