Yesterday, there was a hearing in Concord to expand the EFA (School Choice) program. The EFA program allows families to use state tax money, and take that to an alternative school if needed. It opens up options for families who want an alternative education for their children. Here is a link to the proposed legislation.
While I want all families to have options, my concerns are always aimed at the strings that come with using funds that come out of a state budget. While this program is helping some children, we have to be on guard that this could come at the expense of private school autonomy. How does that happen? If this program ever requires the EFA students to take the State Standardized Test, that will force the private schools to align their curriculum to the dumbed-downCommon Core curriculum used in our public schools. That means that the State will become the entity that determines what is taught in the private schools. This has happened in states like Indiana and Ohio where they offer school choice options to families.
Our public schools are in trouble right now. I don’t blame families for looking for alternatives. I want these families to have alternatives, but what I want more is, the administrators to step up, and improve the conditions in the schools.
Testimony from parents included stories about children who have been bullied, and physically harmed. How do we ignore these situations that include children who have been sexually harassed, and assaulted in their schools?
This battle for school choice programs has everyone focusing on the EFA program itself. No one is talking about how to make the public schools better so these families do not have to leave their public schools. If a family is leaving the public school, why is it that the people working in the public school is not fixing the problems that exist? What is causing these kids to leave? If you listen to their testimony at the hearing to expand the program, there are plenty of issues families brought to the committee.
It is obvious that these kids are benefitting from these school choice programs. You can’t listen to the testimony, and not see it, so why isn’t anyone concerned about what drives these families out of the public school system?
I’ve dedicated almost 20 years to improving public schools. Sometimes I feel like I’m banging my head against the wall because public school personnel will not listen or work to make even small improvements.
I’ve highlighted what makes a public school great:
1) Quality Academics
**You will not get that in a public school that uses Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards
2) Safe Schools
**Too many parents are reporting that administrators are ignoring bullying
3) Parent engagement
**Too many parental concerns are going ignored
If you put a great teacher in a safe classroom with a quality curriculum, you have a recipe for success. Notice I didn’t include political or social agendas. If administrators are not going to work to improve the public schools, then is it a surprise that families are seeking alternatives?
If you oppose school choice programs, then FIX the problems in the public schools.You pay SAU administrators 6-figure salaries why are you not taking this fight to them? You can’t blame people for leaving when administrators refuse to improve the quality of education in their schools. Stop blaming the lack of funding when we know home-school families choose better curriculum for their children. Stop blaming the lack of funding when we know that the lack of discipline, is not just driving out families but teachers too.
Watch all of the testimony from the families who left the public schools. Institute an exit interview when any family leaves the public school but does not move out of the district. Take them seriously. Work on fixing the problems so the families aren’t forced out of the school.
Massachusetts, prior to Common Core, had the best public schools in the country. Their students finished at the top on national tests, and could compete with students in the highest performing countries. They accomplished this by developing the best standards in the country, and focused teacher training on academics. They set up teachers, students and public schools for success. Combine this with a disciplined environment, and it isn’t surprising that families flocked TO their public schools in Massachusetts. Once they abandoned this model, families are fleeing their public schools too.
I would rather if students didn’t need these school choice programs. I wish our kids were thriving in the public schools, but we can see that’s not happening in many of our schools. Let’s work towards that goal, and this program will not be needed anymore.
Much Ado About EFAs and School Choice
