squeak,
there are several flaws in your tuition reform idea. Some people cannot raise that kind of money no matter how much they may want to. This can be due to shyness, not having connections to any wealthy people, working crazy hours and/or multiple jobs, spending their days and nights caring for elderly parents or sick family members etc. What should those ppl do? Send their kids to public school?
Also, a school as a whole can do certain things like chinese auctions, dinners etc to raise money. Individual parents can’t do that.