Let’s face it: our education system is failing a lot of kids. We hear about it all the time—schools are underfunded, the quality of education varies wildly depending on where you live, and then there’s the student loan debt. It’s a mess. We’re pouring billions into the system, but somehow, it’s still not working for millions of students. So, the big question is: why are we sticking with this broken, one-size-fits-all model? Isn’t it time we try something different?
If we’re being honest, the idea of “universal education” was supposed to give every child a fair shot. But in reality, where you live often dictates the kind of education you get. If you’re lucky enough to live in a well-off area, your public school might have great resources, experienced teachers, and a range of extracurriculars. But if you’re in a less affluent area, it can be a different story—overcrowded classrooms, outdated textbooks, and not nearly enough support. It’s an uneven playing field, and kids shouldn’t be shortchanged just because of their zip code.
Then, there’s the issue of student loan debt. This one’s a beast. Over $1.7 trillion is hanging over the heads of Americans, many of whom are just starting their adult lives. It’s hard to build your future when you’re already buried in debt. Want to buy a house? Good luck with that. Thinking about starting a business? Not when those loan payments are due every month. It’s not just an individual problem—it’s holding back our entire economy. And yet, every “solution” we hear about seems to just slap a Band-Aid on the problem without addressing what’s really wrong.
What if, instead of trying to patch up a system that’s fundamentally flawed, we completely rethought our approach to education? What if we gave students and their families the freedom to choose the educational path that best suits their needs? This is where the idea of educational freedom comes in—a concept that could change the game by addressing not just funding disparities, but the student debt crisis as well.
Here’s how it works: instead of funding schools directly, we fund students. Imagine if the money allocated for a child’s education followed them, allowing parents to choose the best learning environment for their kid—whether it’s a public school, private school, charter school, homeschooling, or a specialized program. It’s about giving families the power to make decisions based on what’s best for their child, not just what’s closest to home. This would introduce a bit of competition into the mix, forcing schools to step up their game. When there are real choices, schools will have to innovate and offer quality education if they want to attract students and, more importantly, the funding that comes with them.
Think about it like this: in almost every other aspect of life, we have choices. You don’t have to go to the same grocery store as everyone else just because it’s closest. You pick the one that has what you need at the best price. Why shouldn’t education work the same way? When schools know that students can take their funding elsewhere, they’ll be more motivated to provide a high-quality education. If a school isn’t cutting it, why should kids and families be stuck there?
Now, let’s get to the root of the student debt problem. Right now, the path to success is often painted as a straight line from high school to a four-year college. But that’s not the right fit for everyone. Yet, because the system is so rigid, we push students into college—even when it means taking on massive debt. With educational freedom, we could start offering more options earlier on. Imagine a system where students have access to various paths, including vocational training, apprenticeships, and certificate programs, right alongside traditional college prep. By the time they finish high school, students would have a clear sense of what path is right for them. Not only would this reduce the pressure to attend a four-year college, but it would also lead to a workforce that’s better prepared and not drowning in debt.
Even for those who do want to go to college, introducing a free-market approach could make higher education more affordable. Colleges would need to justify their tuition costs by showing real value. They’d be competing not just on reputation but on the quality of education, the success of their graduates, and—yes—cost. Some colleges might even adopt innovative financing options like income-share agreements (ISAs), where students pay for their education through a percentage of their future income. It’s a win-win: if students do well, the school does well. And if they don’t, the financial risk is shared, not just dumped on the student.
Now, I know what some people might say—that educational freedom could drain resources from public schools or lead to less oversight. But let’s be real: our current system is already full of funding issues and lacks the oversight needed to ensure quality education across the board. By giving families choices, we would actually be introducing accountability. Schools that don’t provide a good education would lose students and funding, pushing them to either improve or close down. Meanwhile, the schools that do thrive can serve as models for what works. It’s about creating a system that’s accountable to students and families, not just the bureaucracy.
So, here’s the bottom line: the one-size-fits-all model of education isn’t working. It’s time we stopped forcing students into a system that doesn’t fit and started empowering them with real choices. Educational freedom isn’t about dismantling public education—it’s about making sure every child has access to the best possible education for them, no matter where they live or what their learning needs are.
We’ve been clinging to a broken system for far too long. It’s time we tried something different. Let’s give students and families the freedom to pursue an education that truly fits their needs. Isn’t that what education should be about—helping every child reach their full potential?
Written By: Stephen Despin Jr. | Founder/Contributor
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