Freedom of Education

Definitely food for thought from J.S. Mill.

"It is not endurable that a government should, either in law or in fact, have a complete control over the education of the people. To possess such a control, and actually exert it, is to be despotic. A government which can mould the opinions and sentiments of the people from their youth upwards, can do with them whatever it pleases. Though a government, therefore, may, and in many cases ought to, establish schools and colleges, it must neither compel nor bribe any person to come to them; nor ought the power of individuals to set up rival establishments, to depend in any degree upon its authorization. It would be justified in requiring from all the people that they shall possess instruction in certain things, but not in prescribing to them how or from whom they shall obtain it" J.S. Mill, Principles of Political Economy, Book V. Chap 11. sec. 8.


BK: I don't know how Mill, and many others, fail to see the connection here. If government is going to establish schools, require a subject or even give scholarships - it must verify that its objectives have been achieved. This requires standards, which require assessment. Money can only go to authorized recipients - lest the government open its coffers to anyone who asks. Seriously, the only way for the government to ensure it is not being bilked is to have standards and enforce them. This requires that "rival" establishments be authorized to receive funding and that individuals are actually taking the courses government may require.

This is why government aid is a Faustian bargain. If they give the money, they will influence what counts as standards and require reporting. This is the major reason for accreditation and agencies to accredit - eligibility for receipt of federal student aid. Yet, the same argument academics use against market encroachments in academe applies here as well: Those who control the purse strings control a great deal more. Mill is right that government control here is especially dangerous, but apparently people wish to believe that, unlike any other institution on the face of the earth, the government does not care what it gets for its money.