As I said, I don't generally believe in "government run" things. But I would support a carefully designed and tightly run program to dramatically improve our education system and, yes, I think it needs to be funded from the Federal level, or it won't get done.
Think of it as something like a "moon" project, but with much more predictable consequences. The consequence of this is that in 20 years we would have more engineers, actual scientists, and hard-technical types than perhaps any nation on earth. And a supporting staff of highly trained, well paid, technical people coming out of high school.
I would expect the mental-illness, economic collapse, and spiritual-deadness we find around us now to be considerably, if not totally, in the rearview mirror. Compelling futures are like that, they give most people a reason to get up every morning and do their best.
How about something like this:
(1) These are the technical specialties the JOB MARKET says we need (so you should earn a decent salary if you get through the degree program.
(2) Cost of education, using some pre-defined standards of cost, will be deductible against future income taxes practicing that degree *IFF* you complete the technical degree with a grade of C or better average.
(3) Or it will be reimbursed on a as-you-go yearly basis, in stages, provided you pass a national, standardized test at some reasonably difficult threshold on a yearly basis. RE-TESTS ARE ALLOWED (cause anyone can have a bad or sick day).
My proposal is off the cuff. I'd appreciate feedback on how it could be better done to incentivize the right people in the right way toward the right goals.
I kind of like the idea of allowing you to offset your education costs against future income taxes, but it doesn't really address the hard-working students who come from poorer families or who otherwise can't afford the four+ year slog to get through the system.
I don't think more expensive schools, charging more money, should increase the payout. Maybe new schools could be built in depressed or rural areas.
The key thing, imo, is that high school kids who have the smarts would be given a clear focus and motivation to get ready in high-school and lack of funds for a good college education should not hold them back from making their best effort. I went to a reasonably good high school, but I drifted through high school and graduated with only the most vague path on what I was going to try to do ... and absolutely ZERO guidance from any teacher or counselor on what I might qualify for, much less any real plan.
And I always thought that was a shame, and I think it is a shame now. How school graduates are, mostly, more child than adult. So I graduated early and then bumbled about for a long while before I found a path the hard way.
Whether your degree MAKES SENSE ECONOMICALLY was absolutely not discussed by anyone at any time. Maybe largely because the cost of state Junior Colleges and Universities for state residents was much closer to zero back then! But, still, you shouldn't find out at the time of graduation that your degree doesn't qualify you for more than a minimum wage job.
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