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School choice only works if there is a choice

The great arbiter of privilege and equalizer of opportunity is under siege and why not, the haves are in control and dissent is not welcome. With the confirmation of Betsy Devos as Secretary of Education, the Trump administration has dealt yet another blow to public education in America. Regardless of how you voted in the recent election, most would agree that the neighborhood school was already threatened.

Beginning with school consolidation and culminating in “podcast” education via online schools, the education of our children is a patchwork quilt at best. The driving force, as always, has been money. Despite a Ohio Supreme Court ordering more equitable school-funding poorer districts remain seriously underfunded. Where are our state legislators?

Decisions made in the interest of greater efficiency and cost-cutting have resulted in schools that are disconnected from the communities they serve and much maligned because they cannot fix the modern ills of families all alone. The answer according to the Trump administration’s education secretary is to take even more money from public schools by making it easier for parents of means to choose an alternative. The wholesale use of vouchers to fund schools is short-sighted and dangerous to a democracy that relies on a universally-educated electorate to thrive.

The fallacy in Devos’ argument for privatization of education lies in the for-profit motive under which many charter schools of necessity operate. When faced with choices that affect student well-being who is going to advocate for quality education over profit where the students become simply numbers on a balance sheet. In rural areas such as southeast Ohio, do we really believe quality charter schools will be flocking to serve sparse populations? Of course, not!

School choice only works when there is a real choice and giving voucher that pays for a minimal education is not the answer. With such a system in place, families with means will simply take the voucher and supplement it with personal funds to send their children to schools that operate with larger budgets. Families with limited means will be left to “choose” the only schools they can afford and these will not be good schools. The community will be further divided by class and economics and the democratic ideals of equality and opportunity will continue to erode.

This scenario may well be what President Trump and his advisors have in mind. In a truly free society we need everyone to be well-informed (with facts) and educated to think critically; however, in an autocratic society we don’t really need to think because the government will do that for us. All we need do is fall, “lock-step” in line, “trust Trump” and continue to vote ourselves right into a dictatorship. Good luck with that, America.

However grim the situation seems there is one ray of hope. The plans put forth by Devos require approval of Congress, especially the House of Representatives who initiates the budget. I urge anyone who has concern for the future of public education to phone, email or write to Congressman Bill Johnson of the Sixth District of Ohio. The address is 1710 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C., 20515, or call Johnson’s office at 202-225-5705. Make your voice heard and let him know that you value the locally controlled system of public education that we have. While you are at it, thank a school board member, public school administrator or teacher who are on the front lines of protecting our democracy.

Thank you.

Teresa Porter

Marietta

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