As political debates across our nation brew about permitting charter schools and which kid should be eligible, I would like to know—whose choice is school choice?
If you are confused about this question, let’s try this exercise:
Make a list of five parents you know.
Now imagine yourself dictating to these parents whether they should bottle feed or breast feed, use cloth versus disposable diapers, and which pediatrician gets their business.
If you can’t fathom telling parents what is best for their child in these areas of parenting, then dictating which school is the best fit for all kids is out of the question too.
What is school choice if we don’t have any options? Voters do not elect leaders to help parenting our kids. We elect leaders to write good laws and policies. Permitting charter schools to thrive and be offered to all families is an example of such practices.
Keep this in mind as nationwide debates are brewing in regards to permitting charter schools, which kid can attend them, and whether or not we should fund these schools fully.
10 states do not permit charter schools. These states are Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kentucky, Alabama, Vermont, West Virginia, and Maine.
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Thank you to all elected leaders who do support charter schools. You are making quality education and school options available for millions of children across our country.
Comments
Parents are the primary educators of their children, and should be the ones to decide about their education. How in the heck does some politician think they know better than me what my kids need?
Karin,
Duh! Isn't this the problem? Parents are disgruntled because the government has dictated---you live HERE, therefore you child goes to school HERE.
As you rightfully point out with regard to some of the other choices we have as parents, one size does NOT fit all. What's the point of "choice" if the government is dictating the choice? Really!
Thanks, as always, for bringing interesting topics to light!
I agree, that is why I have started a blog in favor of West Virginia Charters - since we have no law allowing that choice. I have talked to some political fugures and there are those who support the idea. It just keeps getting shot down by the teacher unions. My blog is www.wvcharterschool.com
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