“Parents have far more power than they realize—your voice, your involvement, and your choices can reshape your child’s education and push the system to do better.”
– Bryan Wetzel
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, parents, teachers, and policymakers alike are searching for answers. With concerns ranging from failing public schools to the rising popularity of homeschooling, school choice, and charter schools, the conversation around education reform has never been more urgent—or more heated. At the heart of this discussion is Bryan Wetzel, author of The Real Problems Destroying Education. With firsthand experience working alongside educators and school systems, Bryan offers a no-nonsense perspective on what’s truly happening behind classroom doors and why it matters for every family in America.
In this powerful and thought-provoking interview, Bryan sits down to explore the deeper issues plaguing our school systems—from rigid curriculum mandates and disruptive classroom behavior to the politics of funding and the need for parental involvement. He sheds light on the myths surrounding school choice and vouchers, while offering real, actionable solutions that prioritize students over systems. Whether you’re a parent looking for alternatives or an educator seeking meaningful reform, Bryan’s insights offer both a wake-up call and a roadmap for change.
Thank you so much for joining us, Bryan! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Absolutely. I’ve spent a significant part of my life immersed in education—both professionally and personally. I’m married to a public school teacher, and I’ve worked closely with educators, parents, and students through my company SCUBES Ed. Over time, I realized the problems in our education system weren’t isolated incidents—they were systemic. That realization drove me to write The Real Problems Destroying Education as a way to expose what’s really going on, while also offering real, tangible solutions that could make a difference for our children and our communities.
What inspired you to write The Real Problems Destroying Education?
It came down to the disconnect I was seeing every day. Parents were frustrated. Teachers were overworked and undervalued. Students weren’t thriving the way they should be. Everyone seemed to be looking for answers, but nobody was putting the full picture together. I wanted to give people a guide—a clear, honest breakdown of the current state of education, what’s going wrong, and what we can actually do about it. I wanted to give a voice to the teachers who feel silenced, and the parents who feel powerless.
Let’s dive into school choice. Why is this such a critical issue for you?
School choice is the cornerstone of educational reform. It gives parents the power to choose the best learning environment for their children. For many families, the local public school might not be a safe or effective place. School choice provides alternatives—whether that’s another public school, a charter school, or even homeschooling. Giving families the flexibility to choose helps drive competition, which can lead to improvements across all schools. It’s not just a political issue—it’s a deeply personal one for many parents trying to give their kids a better shot at success.
Critics say school choice takes money away from public schools. How do you respond to that?
That argument is based on flawed math. Public schools receive funding based on average daily attendance. So if 10% of the students leave, yes, the funding drops—but so does the number of students they have to educate. It’s not a loss—it’s an adjustment. Plus, studies from institutions like Stanford have shown that in states where school choice is implemented, the performance of public schools actually improves. Why? Because schools are less crowded and teachers can give more individualized attention. It creates a healthier, more balanced learning environment.
What are some of the main reasons parents choose to homeschool?
Safety and educational quality are at the top of the list. Many parents feel that their local school is either unsafe or not providing a quality education—or sometimes both. Others do it for religious or personal reasons. But at the core, most homeschooling parents just want a better option for their kids. They want more control over what their children are learning and the environment they’re in. In today’s world, where homeschooling has evolved with vast online resources and cooperative communities, it’s a much more viable option than it was 20 or 30 years ago.
Has homeschooling changed in recent years?
It’s been completely transformed. Back in the 90s, homeschooling meant spending $1,000 to $1,500 a year on curriculum, DVDs, and paper workbooks. Now, thanks to the internet, parents have access to countless affordable—and often free—resources tailored to every learning style. There are co-ops, hybrid learning options, even homeschool groups that allow for social interaction and shared teaching. In some states, kids can even take specific subjects at a local public school, like math or English, while doing the rest at home. It’s no longer an isolating or one-size-fits-all experience—it’s dynamic and customizable.
What role do charter schools play in this conversation?
Charter schools are a key part of the school choice ecosystem. They are publicly funded but operate independently, giving them more flexibility in how they teach. And the results are impressive—many charter schools outperform traditional public schools by significant margins. What’s even more compelling is that in some cities, charter and public schools share the same building, pull from the same student population, yet the charter still outperforms. That tells you something is working. These schools often have specific missions, whether it’s STEM, the arts, or back-to-basics education, giving families even more tailored choices.
Why do you believe vouchers are so controversial?
Vouchers hit a nerve because they involve both money and control. Essentially, vouchers allow parents to redirect their tax dollars toward a school of their choice, including private and faith-based schools. Critics argue this takes money from public schools. But what it really does is return control to the parents. In many cases, the amount provided through a voucher is less than what the state would spend per student in public school. So the state is actually saving money while giving families more options. The controversy often stems from the fact that many private schools are faith-based, but those schools are not teaching religion during class—they’re offering quality education.
What do you say to people concerned about faith-based schools receiving state funding through vouchers?
I understand the concern, but I think it’s misplaced. When parents use vouchers, they’re not being given someone else’s money—they’re using their own tax dollars to make the best decision for their child. If that decision is a Catholic or Christian school with strong academics, why should that be prohibited? Most of these schools aren’t pushing religious instruction during school hours. They’re focused on academics, and they do it well. It’s about educational outcomes, not religious indoctrination.
What’s the biggest factor contributing to failing public schools?
One of the biggest issues is a lack of autonomy for teachers. They’re constantly told what to teach, how to teach it, and then the district changes everything two years later. It’s demoralizing. Teachers know how to teach, but instead of being trusted, they’re micromanaged and forced to pilot new programs—many of which are tied to grant funding rather than actual academic effectiveness. Add to that overcrowded classrooms and disruptive student behavior, and you’ve got an impossible situation. Public schools need real reform, not more bureaucratic band-aids.
You mentioned disruptive students—how big of a problem is that?
It’s massive. One or two disruptive students can derail an entire class. And districts often don’t deal with it effectively—they just hope the problem moves on with the student in a year or two. That leaves the rest of the class behind. I’ve even heard of parents suing schools because their children weren’t getting the education they deserved due to disruptions. We need systems in place—alternative classrooms, online learning options, or behavior-focused programs—so that one student doesn’t hold back 20 others.
Why do you think charter schools tend to outperform public schools, even in the same neighborhoods?
It comes down to flexibility and focus. Charter school teachers are given clear goals—teach the subject and get results. They have the freedom to adjust their methods based on the students’ needs. In public schools, teachers are told how to teach and what to teach, and then that plan is flipped every few years for the sake of new grants or administrative trends. That lack of consistency hurts everyone. In charters, there’s more consistency, more teacher autonomy, and a laser focus on academic achievement.
What role should parents play in their child’s education?
A huge one. Parental involvement is the single most important factor in a child’s educational success. You have to be engaged. Check grades regularly. Ask your child how school is going—not just academically, but socially and emotionally. Bullying doesn’t stop at the school doors anymore—it follows kids home on their phones. Staying involved helps you catch problems early and guide your child through them. If you’re only finding out in April that your child is failing, it’s too late. Be present all year.
What are some signs of a good school when looking to transfer your child?
Start with the data. Most states publish standardized test scores for every school. Look at them. Then, visit the school in person. Tour the facility. Meet the principal. Ask questions. What is the school’s mission? What’s their approach to behavior issues? Charter schools often have clear focuses—STEM, arts, or foundational learning. Ask how they’re addressing any low scores. And don’t be afraid to talk to teachers. The people in the classrooms will give you the clearest picture.
Should there be more parent involvement in decision-making?
Definitely. I think every district should have a parent board. Not to dictate curriculum, but to provide feedback on what’s working and what’s not. And I also believe teachers should have more power through a representative board that actually has voting authority over things like curriculum changes. Too often, decisions are made at the administrative level with no input from the people actually teaching the students.
What are your thoughts on constantly changing curriculums?
It’s a disaster. Teachers are constantly retraining, students are constantly adjusting, and districts are chasing grant money without regard for educational impact. I’ve spoken to teachers who’ve begged their districts not to change curriculums—only to be ignored. We need consistency. Let teachers teach and give them a stable platform to build on.
What about the Common Core?
The idea behind it made sense—standardizing education so an A in one state means the same as an A in another. But it got hijacked by too many outside interests. Execution matters. A great concept implemented poorly is still a failure. And we’re seeing that in how it’s played out in classrooms across the country.
How do we ensure struggling students don’t get left behind?
We need to promote and expand the support systems already in place—before and after-school tutoring, one-on-one help, and small group instruction. Too many parents don’t even know these services exist. Schools need to be better about communication. And parents need to be proactive. Get your child to school early if they need help. Ask the teachers what support is available. Help is there—it just needs to be better utilized.
What’s one powerful insight you want to leave our readers with?
Parents have far more power than they think. You are your child’s first and most important advocate. If they need help, speak up. Stay involved from day one until graduation. Don’t rely solely on the school to catch issues. And always ask your kids how they’re doing—academically and emotionally. Bullying, social issues, anxiety—these things affect learning just as much as grades. Engage early and often.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can visit @SkubesEd on X (Twitter). You’ll find videos from my education company, covering subjects like math, language arts, and even some documentary content on historical figures like Jackie Robinson and MLK. I also welcome questions—people reach out to me daily, and I do my best to respond or point them in the right direction. And of course, The Real Problems Destroying Education is available on all major platforms in print, ebook, and audiobook formats. I hope it helps parents, educators, and even policymakers see the full picture and feel empowered to push for change.
Thank you so much, Bryan, for sharing your time and valuable insights with us today. It’s been a truly enlightening conversation.
Thank you for having me—it’s been a pleasure to be here and to share this important message with your audience.
