I'm a proud graduate of Horry County public schools. One lesson I learned in public schools is that problems have to be addressed rather than ignored. In South Carolina, we have a problem with education that is especially acute in certain areas. It must be addressed, not ignored.

Looking over state Department of Education statistics on student achievement, the numbers are grim. Three out of four eighth-graders cannot read at proficient levels. Eleven out of 12 black eighth-graders in public schools cannot do math proficiently. Twelve out of 13 poor S.C. eighth-graders cannot do science proficiently. Clearly, something other than the status quo must be done.

The results of lower levels of achievement is plain for all to see. It manifests itself in high levels of unemployment, low levels of family income, high levels of violent crime, low levels of personal health, high levels of incarceration and low life expectancy. All of these are present in South Carolina.

In 2004, South Carolina had the fourth-highest unemployment rate of the 50 states. While some parts of the state were doing OK, such as Horry County, others, such as Marlboro County, were in the Dumpster.

South Carolina also has the highest violent crime rate in the country. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, South Carolina's violent crime rate is 75 percent higher than New York's.

As a group, South Carolinians earn only 83 cents in personal income for every dollar earned by the average American.

I can recite depressing statistics all day to illustrate the lack of opportunity afflicting South Carolina. We need to focus on the solution to this quandary - improving education. A wealth of social science data shows that opportunity correlates with good education.

Most would agree that our current education system isn't doing the job. Children aren't learning. Parents' voices are ignored or silenced. Taxpayers pay more and more every year for a system of dubious quality. Enough.

The education system needs to be more consumer-oriented and parent-oriented. When parents have real power, they will demand better education for their children. Competition to satisfy parents and teach students will lead to more satisfied parents and better educated children. America was founded on freedom of choice and competition. It's a shame that Americans are allowed to choose what sort of car to buy or what sort of computer they may own but are forced to go to school wherever the government tells them, whether that school is a good one or not. We deserve choices.

That's why I support the proposed Put Parents in Charge Act, Gov. Mark Sanford's education-reform bill. It gives every family a choice through a state and local tax credit. Parents can take a dollar-for-dollar credit against educational expenses. They can choose among public, independent, parochial or home schools. Any school that does not meet their child's needs gets the boot. Parents will always have options and opportunities to find a better education for their child.

There are a bunch of "chicken littles" who claim that public education will not survive if we enact Put Parents in Charge Act. That's not supported by the facts. Research from Harvard University shows that all schools - public and private - improve when exposed to competition. Others say Put Parents in Charge is too expensive and will deplete public school funding. That's simply not the case - all federal and local money remains with the public schools, as well as a portion of state funding. Public schools will have more money to educate less students. It's a win-win situation.

Do we have the wisdom and courage to stand behind our governor and stand up for our children? Or are we going to stand with the administrators, bureaucrats and union leaders? For the sake of our children and for the sake of our state, I hope we are wise enough to Put Parents in Charge.