Economic growth typically results when businesses, workers, investors, and entrepreneurs are free to compete, innovate, and work to better serve consumers by supplying new or improved goods and services. These incentives govern the marketplace, and when built upon a sound foundation of property rights, the rule of law, open trade, minimal governmental burdens, and price stability, economic growth and prosperity emerge.

Unfortunately, when it comes to primary and secondary education in the United States, the entire structure runs counter to such a market system. Given the dominant role of government in educating children, and the accompanying political decisions, special interest influences, lack of real competition, and the rewarding of failure with increased budgets and staff, the entire public education structure is not designed to generate needed academic results.