School Choice, A Remedy For Failed Public Education

“Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall be forever encouraged.” [Northwest Ordinance, 1787] 

The issue of education in America is one of controversy and failure, specifically public schools that are failing their students. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), aka the Nation's Report Card, revealed just 35% of senior high school students showed proficiency in English, the lowest measured since 1992.

There are a number of reasons for this dismal outcome. The National Education Association, poor quality teaching methods, questionable curriculum, lack of student discipline, absenteeism, the teachers' union, and ideological indoctrination all contribute to poor performance and failing schools. The Chairman of the House Education Committee, Tim Walberg (R-Mich) responded to the NAEP report, “Today’s scores continue to show a devastating decline in math, science, and reading scores.”

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has stated, “Half of America's high school seniors are testing below basic levels in math and reading.’’ The Secretary also mentioned, the Trump administration will soon release a “Tool Kit” of resources for educators. There is also a movement nationally to remove cell phones from the classroom.

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, commented, “These scores clearly show the K-12 system is failing children and families. Students are leaving high school unable to read and unprepared for the workforce. We are at risk of having an entire generation of children fail to become productive adults.’’

Those who are concerned with the welfare of the student, including some educators, some politicians (mostly Republicans), but especially parents, believe there is one remedial factor that can possibly bring some relief -School Choice. The ability of parents to choose what schools to send their children to has become a highly controversial issue, and cause for congressional legislation, [H.R.83], the “Ending Common Core and Expanding School Choice Act,” and [HR-3519, S-1810] School Choice Act.

There is a recent report issued by the Ed Choice 2025 Schooling in America Survey that found 60% of Americans and 68% of parents believe the K-12 system is unable to meet even minimal standards of a quality education. All of the parents surveyed expressed how they prefer to have the opportunity to decide where to send their children to school. 

Parochial and charter schools are the preferred choice of most parents, rather than their local public school. There can be obstacles, however, when deciding to change to a private school. These can include local regulations, pushback from officials, and financial requirements. A majority of parents, 83 percent, would like to see education savings accounts, a voucher system, and tax credit scholarships.

Many states now offer Educational Choice programs. In the past year, there has been a 25% increase in private school enrollment, with a 1.3 million student population. 

The ultimate success of school choice will depend on parents and the voting public, and the officials they elect.  The majority of Republicans support school choice, but Democrats do not.