The Type of School Choice We Really Need

August 21, 12:31 PMEducation Headlines ExaminerAndrea Hermitt

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Education Examiner Alexander M. Sidorkin made some excellent points about school choice today.  First, he mentioned that school choice would work to improve education and lower costs because it would create competition.  He also acknowledged the fact that it would work against lower class children, as they would not have the means to escape the poorer schools.   Having lived in New Orleans  in the late 1990’s, a city where school vouchers was widely used, I can attest to the fact that the middle and upper class children benefit the most from school choice.   

This leaves us with quite a dilemma.  How do we improve education equally across the board?   

We return it to the parents. 

I am not saying that every parent needs to homeschool their kids (as my family does).  What I am saying is that instead of parents being told what their kids will and will not study, as well as where and how they will study it, the parent needs to be dictating this to the school or other educational programs instead.  Education needs to be individualized and under the control of parents.   

To many, this statement will sound preposterous.  After all, parents don’t know anything about education.  They have not gone to college for education and they don’t have the experience as the people who write educational programs and standards.  Still, it is painfully clear that even with the best standards and testing in place that few children actually succeed without strong parental involvement.   

Educational experts certainly have their place.  They can evaluate children and help families make decisions that will get that child into higher education and the career path of their choice.  They can create programs and curriculum that will help the children really learn (and not for the test).   

Schools, both private, public, and correspondence have their place too as they are awesome resources that will help children meet their educational goals.   

However, even with all of this in place, without parents taking their proper place and role in the education of their children, there just is not much hope for the child.