[DubaiSis]

Having grown up in a (educationally speaking) good state, and living most recently in a bad state, and several states in between, I think it would be a tragedy to take the federal government out of the equation. Just as it's not a kid's fault for being born poor, it is also not her fault to be born in Missouri. And saying the states would step up to the plate is just wrong. Frankly, in some states, fewer educated people means fewer voters which means you can more easily control the government. Would certain states take that money and make excellent use of it? Absolutely. Would others allow 50% of their students to be illiterate boobs? Again, IMO, absolutely.

What I would do if I trusted my government at all levels is a lot different than what I would be forced to do in real life. Unfortunately, what that SOUNDS like is that I prefer privatization, but the same ethics applies. Some private education companies do great jobs and some are simply in it for the Benjamins. So they can't be trusted as a wide-spread policy either.

In the meantime, I will honor the teachers, principles, school boards, mayors, and up the chain who do their jobs the way it should be done. And be glad I don't have kids because that's not ALL of them.