The creation of constitutional rights, education and defense are three fundamentals of government. These fundamentals are inter-related in amazing ways.
In the United States, education came with the first public school in Boston in 1635, named the Boston Latin School. The church was the first major supporter of education because of the importance of reading and writing.
With the approval of the Constitution in 1791, seven states of the 14 included the provision of public education at the state and local community level. Other states followed with the mandate restricted to public education. A legal challenge occurred in 1925 in the case of Pierce vs. Society of Sisters, with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of a private education option.
Both public and private education continued to increase, which provided the basis for the country, states and local communities to emerge as an international marvel and power. This investment was perhaps one of the best ever in history.
The National Defense Education Act of 1958 provided enormous federal funding from the federal government for advancing education in math, science, and foreign languages among other provisions. The launch of the Soviet Sputnik in 1957 clearly was a wake-up call that education was essential in sustaining global defense and competition.
The major supporter now needed is from the business community. Based on Hebert Research findings over the past 32 years, local education has a top mean community rating of 9 rating on a 0 to 10 scale among the broad base of business. Recently, 53.2 percent of the business leaders reported that preparation to compete globally was essential.
The support of Bellevue education, whether Forest Ridge, Bellevue Christian or the Bellevue public schools, is a function of both the checkbook and calendar. In others words this will occur both financially and through volunteer efforts by nonprofit organization.
The economic conditions within the federal, state and local levels pose limited sources for funding. Business understands that education is based on an investment model with substantial returns. The alternatives are far less attractive, such as importing employment, which involves large expenses for recruiting and relocations.
Far more critical is not having the best and brightest work force. This millennial Age of Wisdom requires experience, strong values and education. Research and development, innovation, solutions to environmental problems and finding ways to maintain profitability lie within the returns for investing in the mind.
Jim Hebert is the president and founder of Hebert Research, Inc., an international real estate, land use, and statistical research firm in Bellevue.
