Henry Ford famously stated that from 1914 to 1925, if you wanted a Model T Ford, it would only be available in black. While this initially seems restrictive, customers still had a range of options available, including purchasing from other car companies, using a horse and buggy, or purchasing an earlier model from Ford.
The decision to paint all Model Ts black was part of an effort to mass produce cars and make them affordable. If customers had chosen not to buy the Model T, Ford would have been forced to change his business model.
Comparing this to today’s government-run public school system, it becomes evident that the lack of genuine choice in schools mirrors the same lack of choice seen in only being able to purchase a black Model T Ford. The Ontario government controls various aspects of the public education system, limiting parents’ options.
The Toronto District School Board offers select specialty schools in music, science, and technology, but these schools are oversubscribed, leading to the creation of waitlists. In 2022, trustees voted to use a lottery system for admissions, eroding the standards previously upheld.
Giving parents the financial freedom to enroll their children in independent schools would alleviate the pressure on public schools and ensure students can attend a school that best meets their needs. While certain school boards are considering widening admission boundaries, demand will likely exceed supply and the government’s slow response won’t effectively solve the problem.
In summary, just as Ford empowered customers with options beyond the Model T, today’s government should empower parents by allowing them to determine the allocation of their children’s education funding. This would encourage the private sector to meet demand and, in turn, result in greater satisfaction for parents and better-educated students.