It takes a village? No, when it comes to schooling, it takes parents

John Coons:

Editor's note: As momentum builds across the United States for expanded school choice, it is important to understand the movement's legal and philosophical foundations. For more than 40 years, John E. Coons, redefinED co-host and professor of law, emeritus, University of California at Berkeley, has argued that parents - and not government - have the primary legal and moral responsibility and authority to educate their children. Coons is a powerful thinker whose reflections are best consumed slowly and with respect. Enjoy this special post.

It takes a village to raise a child--or so they say, and perhaps it's true. Humans are interdependent, and every particular village -whatever that word means - has influence, for good or ill.

But the phrase is murky and subject to many interpretations. It can be read as the quirky proposition that the village is what logicians call a "sufficient condition" of some outcome; alone, by itself, it determines the bundle of effects that will be the person called Andrew or Susie.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at April 18, 2012 1:57 AM
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