March 19th, 2025

Dear Readers,

“What’s the big deal?”

“The schools can’t possibly be as bad as they say!”

“Think of how much more educated we are as a society. Now, every kid can learn how to read, write, and do math.”

While this is all true, there is a very real chance that there could be a major reversal.

Schools nowadays are as bad as people say they are.

Granted, not all schools are this bad. But for every exceptional school, there are at least ten unexceptional schools.

There are many factors that play into a school's success, but two stand out above all else: the involvement of a student's family and the exceptionality of teachers.

The overwhelming majority of successful, or even moderately successful, students have the support of their families. Moreover, the fact that they have a family at all is a major leg up.

This is why schools should stop investing in new technologies and methods and instead invest in their communities and the families that make up those communities. A proper community school would see great success because all those in the community truly want what is best for the others.

Furthermore, it is imperative to honor the time-tested traditions that have long underpinned our community schools.

By returning to core principles of responsibility, respect, and family values, we empower parents to become the primary educators of our youth. This approach values local wisdom over impersonal bureaucratic mandates.

Lastly, what makes a great teacher is an individual who is passionate about their craft or creed. What brings great teachers to schools are the same incentives that businesses use: money.

We definitely don’t want greedy people teaching our youth. Still, we have to give great minds an incentive to become teachers because many who may have the acumen for teaching are taken by better-paying industries. Education has little material upside for those involved.

Again, I certainly don’t want to promote cash chasing of any kind, but in a free market, there must be a market incentive for a given occupation. There is currently a very low incentive to be a teacher.

Money would undoubtedly change that.

Increased market incentives for teachers will attract dedicated, brilliant minds to the classroom, ensuring that only the best are rewarded for their commitment to our children’s education.

By refocusing our investments on community and family values, we can transform our schools from bureaucratic institutions into beacons of local excellence.