Issue Tool Kit: The Public Education Monopoly — Why It’s Failing Our Kids
Eight reasons California families deserve better choices in education. Warning: Depressing reading ahead…
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⏱️ Read Time: ~4.5 minutes
Eight Reasons Why The Public Education Monopoly Is Failing So Many Children
California spends a lot on public education, yet many conservative critics argue that high spending has not translated into commensurate results. In 2023-24, total state, local, and federal funding for K-12 public schools in California is roughly $131 billion. That works out to about $19,615 per pupil across California. Despite this heavy investment, California often ranks well below the top in academic performance: in recent national results, California is 38th among states in math and 33rd in reading. Here are eight reasons why this would be the case…
1. One-Size-Fits-All System
Public education in California is run like a monopoly. Parents are forced into a system based on zip code, not choice, with little regard for whether their child thrives in that environment. Competition is absent, and the result is complacency.
2. Lack of Innovation
Monopolies don’t innovate. California schools are slow to adopt new methods, technologies, and curricula because there is no real pressure to improve. Private and charter schools, by contrast, often pioneer creative solutions.
3. Bureaucratic Bloat
Layers of administrators, compliance officers, and regulators eat up funds that should be directed toward classrooms. Taxpayers are promised dollars for students, but too much ends up in bureaucracy.
4. Poor Accountability
Teachers and administrators rarely face consequences for failure. Unlike in competitive markets, bad performance doesn’t lead to change — it just continues year after year.
5. Declining Student Outcomes
Despite record spending, test scores remain flat or falling. California spends billions more each year, but the monopoly system insulates itself from responsibility for results.
6. Political Indoctrination
Instead of focusing on math, reading, and science, schools increasingly promote political agendas. Families looking for basic education often feel trapped by the system’s priorities.
7. Erosion of Parental Rights
Parents are treated as obstacles rather than partners. A monopoly system limits parental say in curriculum, school governance, and even basic transparency. It is actually the case that the “experts” in education think that parents truly do not know best when it comes to the education of their children.
8. The Power of the California Teachers Association (and Local Unions)
Last but most certainly not least — The California Teachers Association (CTA) is the linchpin of the monopoly. It pours millions into electing governors, legislators, and school board members — effectively owning both sides of the bargaining table for salary, benefits and work conditions. At the same time, it pushes extreme left-wing positions into school curricula. This stranglehold ensures that reform efforts are stopped before they can take root. And this system locks in a system that is focused on the well being of teachers to the detriment of the school children. It is worth mentioning that the CTA works with and through local unions in each school district in pursuit of their self-serving goals.
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A scathing critique of systemic inertia dressed as public service. When education becomes a postcode lottery governed by entrenched interests, children pay the price. Reform demands more than funding, it requires the courage to challenge monopolies masquerading as guardians of learning.
Homeschool your kids. Public education is more about indoctrination than anything else. I attended public school. And every bully I ever had was an adult with a teaching credential.