James Shuls, Ph.D, on Redefining Public Education

The Show-Me Institute recognized this year’s Friedman Legacy for Freedom Day, 7/31/2013, with a policy breakfast in Springfield, Missouri, which featured James Shuls, Ph.D. The Springfield Libray Center hosted the event, and twenty-seven (27) guests attended. The program focused on school choice, with Shuls speaking about his work on education policy and how we should redefine public education. At 8 AM, Show-Me Institute Director Louis Griesemer gave brief remarks. He then introduced Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Dist. 133). Rep. Burlison talked about his efforts in the state legislature to support school choice reform before introducing Dr Shuls.

Dr. Shuls discussed perceptions of public education in the community. Shuls argues that the view of public education is often inaccurate, and should be results oriented instead of process oriented. Rather than thinking about public education as simply government schools that often fail to properly educate kids, it should be viewed as any institution that can adequately serve the public’s interest in an educated citizenry. The fact that an educational institution may be private does not change the fact that the students it teaches are members of the public. Shuls emphasized how the Show-Me Institute is working to change these perceptions in Missouri. Beyond events like these, the Show-Me institute works to inform the public via social media, the Show-Me Institute website, and local TV and radio.