Constitutional Amendment on Schools Won’t Help, Will Hurt
Katherine Kerstin writes a strong argument in opposition to the Constitutional Amendment, “Equal Right to a Quality Public School Education.”
“The amendment’s noble-sounding, aspirational language is appealing at first glance. It purports to give “all children” a “fundamental right” to a “quality public education” that “fully prepares them” for “participation in the economy, our democracy, and society.””
“The amendment carries such potential for mischief, in part, because it would create a “positive” right. It would not just limit government power, as a right to free speech does, but would require the state to guarantee that every child achieve a specific educational outcome. That’s like purporting to give all children a constitutional right “to be a successful high school athlete” or “to have a happy, healthy life.”
Minnesota Advocates and Champions for Children 