Testing the Ease of Establishing Private Schools: A Journalistic Experiment

ProPublica journalists recently embarked on an intriguing experiment, probing how straightforward it is to set up a private school in the United States. Their investigation unearthed that in numerous states, almost anyone can establish a private educational institution with virtually no prerequisites. No prior experience, prior training, or curriculum design is necessary.

Motivated by the discovery and curious about its implications, ProPublica’s team delved deeper. They assessed the existing regulations and oversight, questioning where, if anywhere, states prevent those without educational backgrounds from opening schools and tapping into public funding.

Experiment Inspiration and Rationale

Inspiration came from past endeavors. In 2015, comedian John Oliver formed a tax-exempt church to spotlight how televangelists sidestep taxes. Chicago’s 1970s Mirage Tavern, run by undercover reporters, revealed city corruption. These examples informed ProPublica’s approach as they outlined their experiment’s ground rules.

Importantly, the team never intended to operate schools or enroll students. Their aim was transparency, clearly identifying themselves in applications. They prioritized honesty, using newsroom contacts in the process. They vowed to halt the experiment if legality or misuse of public resources became an issue.

Approach in Specific States

The experiment targeted Arkansas, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Partnering with local newsrooms, ProPublica joined forces with Arkansas Times, Mountain State Spotlight in West Virginia, and The Assembly in North Carolina. Utilizing these local offices ensured transparency, given that state officials could easily verify addresses.

The process commenced with simple steps like naming the schools ‘Curiosity Academies’ to symbolize journalists’ inquisitiveness. Applications were filed using these names: ProPublica-Arkansas Times Curiosity Academy and ProPublica-Mountain State Spotlight Curiosity Academy. In North Carolina, they named it ProPublica-Assembly Academy due to word limits.

Filing paperwork in each state proved easier than navigating legal and ethical hurdles with editors and their legal team. In Arkansas, establishing a school necessitated merely a form, $45, and an American flag. Notably, Arkansas’s Education Department doesn’t regulate private schools, emphasizing how unregulated the state’s process is.

To qualify for public funds, schools in Arkansas usually need accreditation. However, the team found a loophole: microschools face fewer requirements. Applying as a microschool took ten minutes, revealing lax oversight, though they missed the current year’s deadline.

West Virginia’s process was similarly informal. Applications required basic personal details scribbled on paper, and a past college transcript served as proof of education. Regulations for microschools in West Virginia require minimal governmental oversight, signaling a lack of supervision.

In North Carolina, the team’s ethical constraints prevented completion of their process. They tried using a brewery’s address since it met inspection requirements. However, specific school inspections proved necessary, compelling the team to cease activities, respecting public resource limitations.

Conclusion and Reflections

Ultimately, the journalists became temporary school proprietors without operational intent. Plans are in place to disband these ‘academies’ to prevent misunderstandings. They registered a domain, created pencils, and captured memorabilia of this peculiar project.

This journey underscores the ease at which individuals can establish private schools, highlighting gaps in regulatory measures. ProPublica continues exploring these issues. They invite readers to engage and consider if they, too, have the qualifications to start a school, promoting awareness and dialogue on education transparency.