Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010

Encouraging alternatives to Wake County schools

When it comes to education in Wake County, our citizens are voting with their feet, choosing alternative schools in ever-larger numbers.

More than 17 percent of all Wake County students attend public charter schools, private schools, faith-based schools, and home schools.

We can all agree that to compete in a world economy, it is imperative that we educate our students to the highest level possible.

However, turning that goal into a reality has become one of the most challenging problems facing America.

Public schools across the nation are suffering from myriad problems, and our state is not exempt from them.

Discipline problems and suspensions are increasing, and SAT scores and graduation rates are declining.

In an effort to accommodate many competing goals, public education has lost sight of its primary focus, that of teaching our children.

The time has come to re-evaluate our approach to educating our youth, and the solution is not complicated. Parents want choice for their children, based on their own values and beliefs.

Rather than put all our eggs in one basket, we should continue to expand the educational options across the state, which will inspire a healthy competition between schools.

In the long run, it will improve the level of education across the board.

As proposed in House Bill 335, the state of North Carolina should provide an annual funded tax credit of $2,500 per student for those who attend a private school and qualify based on income guidelines.

This credit would be paid to parents or guardians, regardless of tax liability.

It would save the state and county substantial operating expenses, and would reduce the need for future school bonds.

North Carolina has an opportunity to provide a model of education that makes sense in this new millennium.

By encouraging successful alternatives to public schools through the tax credit, the state would put parents, not bureaucrats, in charge of their children's education.

Bob Luddy is founder of Thales Academy in Apex and Wake Forest and The Franklin Academy in Wake Forest.