Does it matter if Stossel's broadcast was hyperbole?

A huge percentage of students in New York City public schools refuse to learn and, not surprisingly, score poorly on standardized tests.

Their reluctance to study and learn at this time in their lives is nothing new. High dropout rates and socialization problems of students have existed as long as the NYC school system itself.

That won't change. Better to spend less on public schools and turn over some of the burden to voucher-funded schools and charter schools.

Using taxpayer funds more efficiently is the best bet.

I grew up in a household where money was always scarce, so I'm all for using funds in the most thoughtful and efficient manner. Get the most quality for the lowest price: that makes me a free-market capitalist I suppose, and that is exactly why I support public education. Mind you, this is no experiment for me. I am a product of public education in the South Bronx--an academic formation that has served me well and that was provided by dedicated professionals whose work seems tragically underappreciated by people like Stossel. I learned to speak English in public schools. I received my formative instruction in math, science, art, U.S. history and even French in those classrooms. I was admitted to one of the nation?s top institutions of higher education because of it. In short, the bulk of my academic and professional accomplishments are rooted in my days in U.S. public schools. And, I am certainly not the exception. So, I reject the premise that public schools in this country are failing kids and that privatization is the answer. The social responsibility that is at the core of public education's mission is enormous. We should be doing everything possible to support the efforts of these individuals because they truly are the ones who can do the most for those who have the least. Diverting public funds to private schools not only sets a lousy precedent, it weakens the most useful tool that our society has to help children (yes, I believe public schools are our nation's TRUE silver bullet--and it's time we treat them as such). As for charters...there are a few that show promise, but student achievement in the majority of charter schools continues to lag behind that of public school students (according to both 2003 and 2005 NAEP data). So then?take money away from the institutions that serve America's kids best and give it to the institutions that don't? Vouchers? Charters? What kind of thoughtful investment is that? I say focus on what's best for our kids and our society -- public education.