From the Academy

Who would have thought it? Yet, it now appears conceivable that the dull American apparatus of public instruction, so long dominated by obsolete notions, boondoggles and a dreary hierarchy of administrators, may be reformed by influence from the Federal Government. I do not suggest that the present bureaucracy of the Office of Education, sharing with the National Education Association an interlocking directorate of unimaginative educationists, can accomplish this labor. But President Nixon and his advisers have something fresh in mind.

Mr. Nixon has asked Congress to establish a National Institute of Education, to engage in genuine research— and to relieve the Office of Education of the research functions that it has performed so wretchedly. Also, by Executive Order, the President has created a Commission on School Finance, to deal with both public schools and private ones (including parochial schools). Behind these undertakings, one may discern the sagacious influence of Mr. Roger Freeman, from the Hoover Institution, Mr. Nixon’s consultant on school finance and related matters.

RK

About the Author

Russell Kirk

Featured Tags

Who would have thought it? Yet, it now appears conceivable that the dull American apparatus of public instruction, so long dominated by obsolete notions, boondoggles and a dreary hierarchy of administrators, may be reformed by influence from the Federal Government. I do not suggest that the present bureaucracy of the Office of Education, sharing with the National Education Association an interlocking directorate of unimaginative educationists, can accomplish this labor. But President Nixon and his advisers have something fresh in mind.

Mr. Nixon has asked Congress to establish a National Institute of Education, to engage in genuine research— and to relieve the Office of Education of the research functions that it has performed so wretchedly. Also, by Executive Order, the President has created a Commission on School Finance, to deal with both public schools and private ones (including parochial schools). Behind these undertakings, one may discern the sagacious influence of Mr. Roger Freeman, from the Hoover Institution, Mr. Nixon’s consultant on school finance and related matters.