The next time anyone is inclined to sneer at the basics as "traditional," I suggest he or she visit with a 12th -or even a sixth-grader who can barely read, write or compute and look at the pain and frustration on that student's face

a leader of immense stature who always spoke his mind.

It's time to admit that public education operates like a planned economy, a bureaucratic system in which everybody's role is spelled out in advance and there are few incentives for innovation and productivity. It's no surprise that our school system doesn't improve; it more resembles the communist economy than our own market economy.

When school children start paying union dues, that 's when I'll start representing the interests of school children.

There is no more reason to pay for private education than there is to pay for a private swimming pool for those who do not use public facilities.

When school children start paying union dues, that 's when I'll start representing the interests of school children.