The School Choice Guide
School choice is a hot topic in education, with many people arguing that it is the solution to public education. So, what is school choice, and why do the teachers' unions oppose it?
America will prosper so long as it is able to provide it’s children a quality education.
And right now, we’re failing. Millions of students of color are locked in failing public schools that were assigned to them based on their parent’s socioeconomic status (a representation of their zip code). A family’s socioeconomic status doesn’t have to be the determinant for the quality of their education, and yet this is how it is.
It used to work for America. There was a time where the institutions which orchestrated our current system were producing results that drove America forward, because students were getting an education that drove them forward. But this is no longer happening in our urban districts, where the quality of the public education experience is dark and desolate. (think NYC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Detroit).
Visit an urban public school and you’ll see for yourself.
When it comes to education, our youth in these cities are being underserved.
And it doesn’t have to be like this.
That’s where school choice comes in.
School choice leads to a better education across the board, from charter to public schools, and the worst performing schools to the best.
Improving the urban public education system is one of the most complex problems in America, but it doesn’t have to be.
And that’s why you’re here.
Here is your school choice guide.
What Is School Choice?
School choice is a term used to describe a variety of educational options that are available to parents and guardians who are looking to enroll their children in school. These options include, but are not limited to, charter schools, private schools, online schools, and homeschooling.
The key difference between school choice and the traditional public school system is that school choice gives parents and guardians the ability to choose which school their child will attend, rather than being assigned to a school based on their home address.
There are many reasons why parents and guardians might choose to enroll their child in a school other than their zoned public school. Some parents might feel that their child would be better suited for a charter school that specializes in a particular area, such as the arts or STEM. Other parents might prefer the smaller class sizes and individualized attention that private schools are able to offer. And still others might choose to home-school their child for religious or philosophical reasons.
School choice is a great way for families to take control of their child's education and future. By funding the student instead of the system, school choice allows families to choose the best educational option for their child.
The Teachers’ Unions’ Argument Against School Choice
One of the most vocal opponents of school choice is the teachers' unions. The two largest teachers' unions in the United States, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have both come out strongly against school choice. The NEA's position is that school choice takes away funding and resources from public schools, diverts attention from the real problems facing education, and undermines the efforts of teachers to improve schools for all students. The AFT has been even more critical of school choice, calling it a “direct assault on public education" and "a plot to destroy teachers' unions and privatize our schools."
There are a number of reasons why the teachers' unions are so opposed to school choice. One is that they see it as a direct threat to their power and influence. If parents are able to choose which school their child attends, teachers’ unions would see their power reduced.
Another reason is that the unions believe that school choice will lead to a decrease in funding for public schools. They point to the fact that many charter schools are privately funded and are not subject to the same level of regulation as public schools. They fear that as more parents choose to send their children to charter schools, the amount of money available to fund public schools will decrease.
The unions believe that school choice will lead to a decrease in the quality of education. They argue that charter schools are not held to the same standards as public schools and are not required to hire certified teachers. They also believe that private schools are able to cherry-pick the best students, leaving public schools with the students who are most difficult to educate.
These are valid points.
Finally, school choice would weaken the power of the teachers' unions. As more parents choose to send their children to charter schools and private schools, the unions will have less influence over the education system.
But the teachers’ unions believe education can improve without school choice.
They believe education would improve if only…
Schools received more funding
Teachers made more money
The teacher-student ratio was smaller
They had more parent support
They had better access to in-class technology
The school was safer (more climate security)
There were more programs offered to kids
School culture was better
*Note how all of these are a product of inadequate resources.
And yes - they are right - education would improve if only there were more resources to meet these needs.
Yes, urban schools do need more funding.
Yes, they do lack parent support and additional resources to be successful.
The problem is that there is no mechanism or incentive driving the change that is needed. Districts have no incentive to provide schools with more funding, more programs, or more resources. They block charter expansion and make it harder for them to be created. They are not at risk for losing students, and that is why they are underfunded and understaffed, which ultimately means our students are under-served.
And that’s where school choice comes in.
The Case For School Choice
School choice is often impeded by teachers’ unions, who campaign and fundraise to elect officials who will protect their institution and maintain the status quo.
For teachers’ unions, opposing school choice is an act of self-preservation.
School choice would weaken teacher unions because it would give parents and students more options for where to go to school. This could lead to teachers losing their jobs if parents and students choose to go to a different school, or leaving for a non-unionized school, which means a weaker union.
Here’s why:
Competition = losing kids to other schools.
Losing kids other schools = less funding and less teachers.
Less teachers/funding = less union dues collected.
Less union dues = a weaker, less influential union.
And remember - Teacher Unions are a political tool nowadays.
There are many reasons why school choice is the best solution for education. One reason is that it allows parents to choose the school that is best for their child, instead of being assigned to a school based on their address. This means that parents can choose a school that specializes in the type of education that their child needs, whether it is a traditional school, a charter school, a magnet school, or an online school.
Another reason why school choice is the best solution for education is that it gives parents more control over their child's education. With school choice, parents can decide which school their child attends, what type of curriculum the child will be exposed to, and how much money they are willing to spend on their child's education. This allows parents to tailor their child's education to their specific needs and interests.
Finally, school choice allows for more competition among schools, which can lead to improved educational outcomes for all students. When schools are allowed to compete for students, they are forced to improve their educational offerings in order to attract and keep students. This competition would lead to better educational experiences for all students, not just those who are able to attend the most prestigious or well-funded schools.
Whatever the reason, it is clear that school choice provides parents and guardians with a level of control over their child's education that they would not have in the traditional public school system.
Either every school in the education system would improve, or everything we know about psychology and human nature is wrong.
“School choice, which gives every student the ability to take their education dollars to the school of their choice, is the mechanism that would foster competition between schools”.
School choice would give parents more options for their children's education, which would weaken the power of the teachers' unions. As more parents choose to send their children to charter schools and private schools, the unions will have less influence over the education system. School choice would trigger much-needed reforms in the public school system, such as increased accountability and increased funding. In fact, urban districts would have to increase funding and exhaust all resources if they want to exist.
School Choice, where all students receive a quality education.
School Choice Now
The best implementation of school choice can be found in Arizona, where every family will be issued $6,500 to attend the school of their choice - public, private, charter, or home-school program. These educational dollars will follow the student wherever they go. This is the way.
Interested in learning more about School Choice and current trends in education?
Here is who you want to follow.
Corey DeAngelis
Riyan Virtanen
Christopher Rufo
Riyan Virtanen, Beyond the Optics
Twitter: @RiyanVirtanen
Contact: beyondtheoptics2021@gmail.com
I want to think that I would home school if I was able to. Glad I don't have to be concerned with it.