On the surface, competition as described in Gov. Mark Sanford's third state of the state address last week sounds good: "In the history of man, I don't know of a product that has not been made better when subjected to the forces of competition."
The governor's stated goal is to substantially improve the quality of education that students receive. In the process, he may strip the public education system of hundreds of millions of dollars for an already under-financed education system.
Innovative programs to help improve the quality of education in South Carolina should always be a goal. But creating another taxpayer-supported system that doesn't follow the "serve everyone" concept of the public school system doesn't seem equitable.
Using the governor's plan, parents would be eligible for a $4,000 tax credit if they opted to send a child to private school. South Carolina has an estimated 54,000 students already in private school whose parents, or a scholarship-granting group, would be eligible for the tax credit.
The governor's Put Parents in Charge program could take $216 million out of the public treasury without an additional student attending private school. Additional students would take additional dollars.
Arguments can be advanced on both sides, but the bottom line is that private schools don't have to admit the "problem" students, whether the problem is discipline or physical or mental handicap. They also aren't subject to the scrutiny of No Child Left Behind or any number of other criteria that regulate public schools.
Instead of creating a separate publicly financed system, the governor and educators should look for innovative ways to help those who are vulnerable in the public school system. Horry County's innovative alternative program is an example of the public-private sector partnering to solve a problem. The program will create an alternative road to college for underachieving students. According to The Sun News at Myrtle Beach, Early College Laboratory High School requires no additional state investment but may get 100 students out of high school with two years of college credits. While it costs no more money, it is also accountable through the state's report-card system.
Varied avenues are open for improving the state's education system -- private schools, charter schools, home schooling and public schools. But if taxpayer money finances them, require all to adhere to the same rules.