Understanding School Choice: A Deep Dive into Debates and Misconceptions

Why is school choice generally opposed by liberals?

My Perspective on School Choice

As a teacher and a parent who lived through the 1950s and 1960s, I have a unique perspective on school choice. For many liberals, school choice often carries negative connotations. They view it as a way of keeping minority children out of predominantly white schools. Unfortunately, this narrow view does not represent the full picture.

How School Choice Affects Public Schools

The most common complaint about school choice is that it takes funds away from district schools. However, this belief is misguided. When a child leaves a district public school for any reason, whether it's moving to another district, dropping out, going to a charter public school, going to a private school, or being homeschooled, the former school loses the federal funds for that student. Whether or not these funds follow the student to a new school or are used for homeschooling makes no difference to the funding of the former school since the funds have already been allocated based on the number of students enrolled. Allowing these funds to follow the student to a new school or for homeschooling does not harm the former school but can potentially help the student regardless of where they are educated.

The Value of Public Charter Schools

One of the most common alternatives selected is public charter schools. These schools often provide a better education while also costing less than many private schools. The federal funds allocated for students in charter schools are generally insufficient to cover the full tuition at private schools, meaning the student would still need to pay additional costs. Despite this, public charter schools are less costly yet maintain a reputation for providing quality education. This makes them a popular choice for many families seeking a viable alternative.

The Threat to Our Educational System

Anything that siphons money from our public schools is a threat to our educational system. Public schools are the backbone of our community, providing a level playing field where all children have access to quality education. More money needs to be invested in public schools, not less. To ensure that more teachers are attracted, they should start with salaries as high as 70,000 a year and receive the same raises as other professionals in their respective fields. The current low salaries are often attributed to the dominance of women in the field, but this is an outdated notion.

Conclusion

It is clear that our educational system faces significant challenges. As someone who has witnessed the evolution of public education, I believe that the focus should be on strengthening our public schools, ensuring they have the resources they need, and attracting high-quality teachers. School choice should not be viewed as a threat but as a tool to enhance the educational opportunities available to all students. By working together, we can create a system that serves all children equally and equitably.