Broken American education system: is decentralization the solution?

By Stephen Cutchinsopinion contributor Thursday January 16, 2025

Who ultimately decides what is best for a child’s education? Is it parents, local communities, or a distant federal bureaucracy? This question goes to the heart of a growing movement to redefine the role of the U.S. Department of Education.

Recent surveys by Parents Defending Education reveal a striking truth: More than half of parents — and an overwhelming 77 percent of those surveyed about state-level flexibility — favor reducing the department’s influence in shaping policy. primary and secondary education. This data represents a growing wave of frustration among parents who feel excluded from decisions that directly affect their children’s futures.

However, this question is more nuanced than it seems.

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Education beyond academics

As the husband of a teacher with more than 20 years of experience in public and private schools in four states, I have witnessed the pressures educators face. My wife recently completed a doctorate in education, where she assessed why teachers leave the profession. Its findings reveal a painful truth: government excesses and unrealistic parental expectations are contributing to the exodus of some of our best educators.

Teachers often feel caught in the middle:

1. Government policies often limit teacher autonomy by imposing mandates that favor the bureaucracy rather than the classroom.

2. Parental expectations – when motivated by fear or frustration – can lead to unrealistic demands on teachers and schools, contributing to a toxic environment.

These challenges highlight the urgent need for decentralization, where decisions about education are made closer to home and in the local classroom. This approach empowers parents and teachers, fostering a system in which collaboration, not control, defines education. Education is much more than academic rigor; it shapes values, character and worldview. As a father, educator, and pastor, I deeply understand the weight of these concerns – a reality further underscored by recent survey data.

• Seventy-eight percent of parents oppose policies allowing men who identify as women to compete in women’s sports.
• Seventy-five percent of parents object to teachers hiding critical information about a student’s gender identity from parents.

These are not marginal issues: they reflect deep concerns about the moral and social direction of our schools. However, we must address these concerns without overburdening the teachers we rely on to implement change.

The arguments in favor of decentralization

Education is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Every community has unique needs and values, and parents are best placed to advocate for their children’s interests. Yet growing federal involvement often imposes a rigid framework on communities, leaving little room for flexibility or contribution.

Decentralization is not just a practical solution: it is a moral imperative. Empowering states and local districts to develop education policies gives families the final say in their children’s education. When schools align with local values, parents and educators can collaborate to foster environments that emphasize academic excellence and character development.

However, decentralization must also prioritize teacher empowerment. Teachers, like parents, are closest to students and best understand their needs. A system that honors parental involvement while respecting teacher autonomy is essential to restoring trust in education.

Education for the whole person

Imagine a frustrated mother of three watching her local school board struggle to implement policies dictated by distant federal mandates. At the same time, a dedicated teacher feels the weight of unrealistic expectations placed on her by government policies and worried parents.

This tension reveals the complexity of a vital question:

Who should have the final say in shaping the education of the next generation?

Education is about more than test scores or college preparation. It’s about preparing the next generation to navigate a complex world with wisdom, integrity and faith. Parents, educators and policymakers must work together to create a system that reflects these higher values.

Local governance allows us to focus on what really matters: raising academically capable, morally and spiritually grounded children. The key to success is a balanced approach in which parents, teachers and local communities collaborate.

What needs to change?

If we are serious about reforming education and empowering parents, three key steps must be taken:

1. Amplify parental voices: Attending school board meetings, joining local advocacy groups, or even running for office are practical ways for parents to make their voices heard.

2. Respect the autonomy of teachers: Teachers deserve an environment in which they can thrive, equipped with the professional autonomy to inspire and provide a solid educational foundation for students, free from undue interference and supported by a framework of reasonable accountability standards.

3. Strengthen local governance: States and districts need the autonomy and resources to develop policies that reflect the priorities of their communities.

It’s time to act now

The future of our children – and our nation – depends on how we respond to these challenges. Parents demand change and teachers demand respect. Both require a system that prioritizes learning over politics, collaboration over control, and instruction over ideology.

Let’s reduce ineffective government involvement in education and increase support for keeping effective teachers where they belong: in the classroom.

The choice is clear. Now is the time to act.