The Politicalization of Education

Florida legislators are considering a bill that would prohibit government schools from providing education regarding sex and reproduction before the sixth grade. The noteworthy aspect of this story isn’t whether such topics should or shouldn’t ‘t be taught in schools. The important point is that politicians are involved in deciding school curriculum. The politicalization of education is an inevitable consequence of government schools.

Of course, this politicalization isn’t new. For decades, controversy has swirled around the selection of textbooks, the teaching of history, prayer in schools, and numerous other topics. However, it illustrates one reason for the growing support of school choice programs. Vouchers, education savings plans, and similar programs give parents, rather than politicians and bureaucrats, more control over their children’s education.

When parents have viable choices for their children’s education, they can choose the school that best meets their needs and desires. If parents want their children to learn about reproduction, race issues, gender identity, or any other topic that generates controversy, they can choose a school accordingly. And the same is true if they don’t want their children learning about these topics in school.

However, when politicians are making those decisions, political considerations are inevitable. When parents don’t have viable alternatives to government schools, they must accept the curriculum dictated by politicians and bureaucrats.

In a free market, a wide variety of schools would exist, just as we have a wide range of automobile dealerships, grocery stores, restaurants, and nearly every other product or service. Entrepreneurs and education innovators could try new approaches to teaching, and they wouldn’t have to grovel at the feet of politicians for permission to do so. We would see educational products that politicians and bureaucrats would never dream of.

If legislators want to get politics out of education, then they must abolish government schools. Until that occurs, we will continue to see the politicalization of education.