Richard Neal

Escape to Learning: an Educator's Answer to the Public School Crisis Richard Neal

For many parents in many communities, the public schools are failures. This book identifies and discusses the root causes of this failure and offers specific remedies. The public schools are extremely resistant to improvements because of the powerful Education Establishment, composed of entrenched teacher unions and school educrats and pandering politicians. The book discusses all of the reasons that a monolithic and monopolistic school system cannot meet the pluralistic needs of all children through a one-size-fits-all model. The author explains why more money is not the answer, how monopoly union bargaining has damaged the schools, and how over-regulation has destroyed all hope of meaningful improvements. The author exposes the myth that teachers are overworked and underpaid, shows why it is almost impossible to fire incompetent teachers, and provides reasons why merit pay is not the answer. The author concludes that the only solution to the failing government schools is through the introduction of school choice without double taxation. This would put education back where it belongs - in the hands of parents. The author cautions, however, that any plan that keeps the government in charge of choices is doomed to fail. The transition to choice will not be easy, because it will be met with the full fury of The Education Establishment.