We have more than tripled TOTAL spending, inflation adjusted, on public education since the early sixties, per a column by George Will.Despite this, test scores have remained flat. Nebraska is no exception.In fact, recently Nebraska was ranked almost at the bottom of the states in the racial learning gap.

Of course, school vouchers would do wonders. Tuition tax credits would help considerably.But, practically, speaking, charter schools have bi-partisan support, from Republicans to President Obama, which vouchers and tax credits don't. Some, not all, charters, so far, have achieved eye-popping test score improvements among disadvantaged students. So Nebraska needs a charter school law, as 40 states now have.

Clearly, just throwing money at the school problem won't work. Charter schools outscore public schools, as do private schools, for much less money. Some real competition from private schools, like St. Peter Claver in Omaha,and from charters like KIPP, might force the manistream public schools to shape up or ship out.

















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