On 10/3/13, Ted Dabrowski published a blog
summarizing The Illinois Policy Institute’s report found at: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/wp-content/files_mf/1380814767Ed_finance_1.pdf#.

Dabrowski argues
that “the focus of Illinois’ current education funding system is notwhat’s
best for students – it’s who controls the flow anddistribution of
taxpayer money.” He adds, “Originally intended to support the state’s neediest
school districts, the $4.8 billion GSA [General State Aid] has become, in a
single decade, a twisted mess of formulas that provide large, special subsidies
to a few select districts.” He explains, “…one of these loopholes – related to
tax increment financing, or TIF, districts – allows school districts statewide
to not report more than $18 billion in property value located in special
economic zones.”

Dabrowski
offers this solution: “To fix Illinois’ broken education
system, financial power needs to be taken away from politicians and special
interests.” He also notes, “The only real solution is to transition to a new
education funding system – one that provides parents with increasing control
over the flow and distribution of money.”

• What do you think of the idea that “it’s time for parents to
  control the flow and distribution of money in education?”

• Is it true that “only then will the struggle be about what
  really matters – how to educate Illinois children?”

• Are
  there other ideas that are being overlooked? For example, consider ethnic, linguistic, economic,
  and sexual diversity?