Parents getting to choose the kind of school their child attends makes sense. Parents can be the best judge of what their child needs and often times will be the ones who put in many hours to support the choice they have made.
My only issue is that not all parents get a choice, especially low-income families who may not be aware there are options. Some cannot afford to live in a school district of their choice like parents with means who can purchase a home in the area of town they feel has the school that is best for their child. Or if they wanttheir child to attend a private school they must pay out of their pocket or seek need-based scholarships.
After reading the article, "Bills reopen debate on charter schools," (AC-T, April 13), about charter schools and the parents' desires, I don't see that they are really any different from the private schools in this area or the families who have chosen private schools. As quoted in the article, "Every child gets an amount of money from the state for their education. If I take my child out of traditional school and put him in charter school, the charter school gets that money." I am glad the charter school parents get this choice and are doing what they believe is best for their child. However, not every child gets the amount of money from the state for their education that their parent can direct to their school of choice.
All schools - public, charter, private and home schools - have to meet the state's graduation standards. Even though the private schools like Carolina Day, Asheville Christian Academy, Asheville School, Christ School and others in this area are succeeding beyond the state standards (just check their graduation rates and graduating seniors' college choices), a parent cannot take their child to a private school and then that school receive the money allotted for their education.
Level playing field
I understand a child coming from another state or another city would not be given the state money since they are boarding students and parents do not pay our property taxes. I know some of you are going to say there is separation of church and state; that is so that we would not have a country where there is a government choosing one religion. We are allowing the government to choose how we educate and it is not working. Allowing parents to choose based on a child's "learning style and interest" but not allow a decision based on "faith" is discrimination. Some people's interest reflects a deep value system that could be seen as a faith or deep belief and that is accepted and even paid for by tax dollars.
My husband and I have almost finished providing the education of our choice for our three children. We made that choice because we could, all the while paying our property taxes to support the traditional schools and now charter schools. I don't really have a dog in the fight, but as I read this article, my thoughts turned to the children at New City Christian School to whom I teach P.E. as a volunteer. My hope for these mostly low-income parents is that vouchers would be available to support their educational choice. They are seeing the results big-time as their children are passing with flying colors.
Voucher option
I believe a voucher system would be a step in the right direction for all parents. Why are we so afraid of putting choices into the hands of parents and so hardened and skeptical to not believe that given the right help and support all children can be given the education that is best for them? I recognize there are many issues and maybe I see things through "rose-colored" glasses. But maybe it is time to try seeing things from a different perspective, and schools that don't make the grade are held accountable and maybe shut down so parents are able to put their children in a place where success is expected.
If charter schools are a good option for some who don't want traditional public schooling, then private schooling should be an option as well. If parents were really given choice there would be a wait list at every school that is doing a good job and no child would be left behind. The children deserve that and parents should demand equal opportunity.
Dottie Edwards has a degree in elementary education, coaches the girls basketball team at Asheville Christian Academy and lives in Asheville.