Competition raises the bar

How competitive is the Southeastern Conference in football? More competitive than any other conference in America. (Congratulations to our SEC Champion and No. 1-?ranked LSU Tigers, who are competing for the national championship for the third time in nine years.) So is there a correlation between the highly competitive environment in the SEC and the fact that it will produce the national champion for the sixth year in a row? Or the fact that a few weeks ago the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 teams in America were all found in the SEC Western Division?

To compete in the SEC, you must be great. Just good won't win. And several schools in the SEC who aren't in the top 10 this year (Florida, Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina) have been in the past and are fighting to get back there. They didn't fold their tents and go home—because they are competitors who have passion for winning. And if they don't, their students, donors and fans are not happy and let them know. If the losing continues, the coach in charge is held accountable and is fired—and things change with the expectation that results will change. A high bar produces high performance.

The coach can't say, “But I have tough competition that has more money,” or “They get the cream-of-the-crop players,” or “I just need a few more years.” A good leader or coach finds a way to win—or else. That coach has to be able to hire his own staff and implement his system—and he may have to go raise money from folks who believe in his dreams, too. Then, he must motivate his staff and players to believe they can win and dedicate themselves to do what it takes. Winning is not easy.

The same dynamic applies to the CEO of a struggling business in an industry with strong competitors. It's the basis for our free enterprise system. Cut waste, innovate, compete and get better—or go away. The strong survive.

For the same reason, monopolies do not foster excellence. There are no guarantees in business—or SEC football. And there shouldn't be in government and public education, either. Compete to win because mediocrity is not acceptable. Results matter and accountability is paramount.

This is often impossible to enforce in government or in schools with rules and tenure, and that is why it is better to put public services out for bid to private firms and let them compete, giving taxpayers better, more responsive service at a lower cost. Or give parents and children (read customers) the ability to decide where their tax money is spent on their education—and to move if the school is not providing them a good service.

If folks must compete every day—like in business or the SEC—you cannot let your guard down or slack off, because someone is ready to take your job, put you out of business, or knock you out of the top 25. What do you think LSU football would be like today if Curley Hallman had earned tenure for managing to survive three seasons?

With Civil Service and tenure, it is almost impossible to remove poor performers or those who won't compete for excellence. And the taxpayers and students pay the price.

Of course, charter schools, virtual schools, private schools and home schooling have no tenure. Administrators are free to do what is best for the child, by making sure the best teacher is in the classroom—and rewarding excellence with more pay.

The forces of free enterprise reward or punish the providers for the quality of their service and product. (Isn't that why there is a scoreboard at the LSU games for everyone to see? And the teachers unions and school boards wanted to keep parents from seeing the letter grades for their schools. Sad.)

It is interesting to note that LSU is just one of two programs in the history of NCAA Division I (now BCS) football to ever suffer six or more consecutive losing seasons and recover to win a national championship and remain a consistent top 20 team.

In short, it's difficult in a competitive atmosphere like big-time college football to overcome sustained poor performance, but, as LSU has proven, it is not impossible. What it requires is a commitment to hiring the right people, providing the right tools [financial and otherwise], setting clear expectations and holding people accountable.

America became the greatest nation on earth with the world's largest economy through free enterprise. We allow open competition and the freedom to innovate and pursue the American dream. We reward the best producers. It is powerful, and the incredible results are evident all around us. We must unleash that force on an archaic, monopolistic system in public education that in many cases is failing our children.

It has been done in higher education, and there is freedom of choice to go to a community college, public university or private university. You can take your TOPS or Pell Grant or student loan and choose what is best for you. Higher ed institutions compete for students.

The old GI Bill allowed for soldiers returning from World War II to use the federal dollars they received at any public or private institution—or even seminary. It boasted the finest system of higher learning in the world and attracted students from around the globe. A free market in higher ed produced the best.

I don't know how anyone can argue against that premise, except those just trying to protect jobs, like the teachers unions. They are dishonest and use children as a shield. It is shameful.

Did you know our K-12 system is so outdated that its nine-month schedule is based on the agricultural calendar to allow children to be out of school to bring in the crops? How many children do you know today who harvest crops? We live in the 21st century.

Last week, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education was considering the new J.S. Clark Leadership Academy in St. Landry Parish. The local school board opposed it because they didn't want to lose the money. It's always about the money.

The Opelousas Daily World reported that Donnie Perron, acting superintendent, said, “If a charter school is approved, it would be another nail in the coffin of the St. Landry school system.” He is blaming the charter school for offering children and parents a choice. The quality of education they provide is the nail in their own coffin. Quit blaming others.

The Daily World reported that long-time school board member John Miller supported the creation of the school because it would be “competition” for the school system and “competition is what made me survive” in business. “We are rated a ‘D' system” in the state accountability program, Miller said. “Of 11 schools in Opelousas, seven are failing or on the academic watch list.”

Miller gets it—and he is focused on the needs of children.

BESE has each charter reviewed by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. NACSA recommended the charter in St. Landry and said its “education plan is sound, and the professional development plans are comprehensive and relevant to the school's mission and vision. The school has integrated strategies using technology and arts to support at-risk youth.” And it concluded, “J.S. Clark Leadership Academy is positioned to provide 5th-12th grade students and families in Opelousas with high quality educational opportunities.”

That doesn't sound like the hammering of a nail, Mr. Perron, but instead, opportunity knocking at the door for children in St. Landry. Instead of blocking the door from opening, why not climb out of your coffin and compete?

Congratulations to the BESE board, which approved the charter and more competition. It was a good day for children of Louisiana.