Black market schools

[Copernicus]

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I thought I'd add this nice tidbit, taken from a book I recently read: In 1821, *long* before public schools were created, 93% of all NYC children were enrolled in private schools.

So much for the fallacy that without public provision of schooling too many children would go uneducated.

natedogg

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Any idea where these stats came from? I'd like to take a look and see a) if they are true, b) if there are similar numbers in other areas of the country (particularly more rural areas)

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A highly doubtful statistic, but irrelevant even if true. It isnt 1821 any longer, and there is no way in hell that only 7% would drop out if there were only private education in the 21st century.

[elwoodblues]

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A highly doubtful statistic, but irrelevant even if true.

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Totally agree, but I am still interested. If "true", I wonder what was considered "enrolled in private school."

[WordWhiz]

How many Americans do you think are without basic schooling today? Or do you think that having a law on the books somehow magically equates to people actually learning stuff? Millions of Americans are functionally illiterate despite government schooling. You can't compare what's accomplished on the free market with what could perhaps, theoretically be accomplished by perfect government.

Copernicus--you bring up the free rider problem again, but I don't recall you responding to my critique earlier in this thread. Education is something that's nearly the exact opposite of a public goods problem--so much of the benefit goes to the individual, so little to the rest of society.