(Guest Post by By Kevin Hesla)
“Charter schools are public schools that have flexibility to meet students’ unique needs, while being held accountable for advancing student achievement.” As a charter school researcher, I have copied and pasted this sentence more times then I care to admit over the past five years. But in times like these, I think it is necessary to stop and reflect on what is truly important and unique about this movement.
As Jay P. Greene from the University of Arkansas points out in a recent podcast, the concept of public school choice has reached “escape velocity.” A movement that first gained popularity among low-income parents who were searching for a high-quality educational option is now a concept that the vast majority of parents, from all walks of life, embrace and support. And in 2017, parents don’t just want a single high-quality public school option—they want multiple high-quality public school options.
For parents in neighborhoods with failing district public schools, the concept of school choice is nothing less than a life changing opportunity for their children to receive a high-quality public education, prepare themselves for the demands of a rapidly changing economy, and pursue their dreams. For parents in neighborhoods with high-quality district public schools, school choice is an acknowledgement that district public schools (despite all of their tremendous benefits) do not work for every student. It is an acknowledgement that students are different, that they learn differently and are motivated by different things—and that district public schools are not able to meet the needs and passions of every student.
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools recently commissioned a survey of parents from across the country and asked them if they favored or opposed the ability of parents and students to choose which public school they attend—regardless of where they live. The results demonstrate that the vast majority of parents (regardless of background) support public school choice:
- Race/ethnicity: 84 percent of Hispanic parents, 82 percent of Black parents, and 76 percent of White parents support public school choice.
- Income: 86 percent of low-income parents, 79 percent of middle-income parents, and 72 percent of high-income parents support public school choice.
- Party Affiliation: 81 percent of Democratic parents, 77 percent of Republican parents, and 76 percent of Independent parents support public school choice.
- Geography: 84 percent of urban parents, 77 percent of suburban parents, and 74 percent of rural parents support public school choice.
Despite all the current rhetoric, it is important to remember that parents across the county are overwhelmingly supportive of public school choice. This false dichotomy between district public schools and charter public schools is in no way helpful to the tremendously important discourse and debate on public education. And education (just like knowledge and economic growth) is not a zero sum game. A new high-quality public school option does not have to come at the expense of another public school option. The vast majority of parents support public school choice because public school choice provides benefits to all students. And all children should be given the opportunity to attend a high-quality public school that meets their needs and inspires them to dream big.
Kevin Hesla is the Director of Research at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Jay P. Greene's Blog 
What are names of some parent-led groups that support DeVos and Hubbard and express a burning desire for charters or vouchers?
Parent Led Group, n. Any group that agrees with the agenda favored by the person using the term, regardless of whether the persons leading the group are parents.
Where, in the article, are “parent led groups” mentioned?
Sandra’s comments never have anything to do with what was in the article. It’s a new kind of absurdist performance art she’s perfecting. See her masterpiece here:
Precisely the point, Allen. Such groups are NOT mentioned in the article. The term was used in my comment. The article claimed that most parents want choice. My first reply was about the existence of parent (or parent-led) groups. I hear from parents all the time–and not one of the groups they belong to is interested in choice. They are far more concerned about DeVos’s involvement with pro-Common Core groups and people. Greg Forster is simply trying to dismiss my comments as irrelevant–and to distract from the issue(s) my comments or questions. I understand that he and many others are pro-choice as if charters/vouchers could save public education.
Here’s the first article in the MSMedia quoting parent concerns:
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/02/01/senate-republicans-scramble-secure-betsy-devos-education-nomination/
Does that mean no parent groups want charters? Like Diogenes, still looking.
It means you have a No True Scotsman problem with this question. What is a “parent led group”?
Tell me about the No True Scotsman problem, please. Haven’t heard of that one before.
Here’s the definition of what a No True Scotsman problem is:
“No True Scotsman’ Fallacy: Explanation
The no true scotsman fallacy is a way of reinterpreting evidence in order to prevent the refutation of one’s position. Proposed counter-examples to a theory are dismissed as irrelevant solely because they are counter-examples, but purportedly because they are not what the theory is about.”
I know quite well what a “parent-led” group is. While on the MA BoE in 2009, we heard from the MA PTA. 4 officials spoke to the board, but not one had a child in the public schools. Moreover, in MA, about 95% of the schools have PTOs, and are not in the PTA. I asked about that, too. My questions were directed to the credibility of the 4 officials from the MA PTA in speaking to what they claimed were parent concerns in the state. The SBOE never heard from officials in a PTO.
I was discussing school choice and Mr. Greene’s interview on the Reason podcast last week, which I found fairly compelling, with my daughter who is in school counseling. Her concern is with kids with mental health and severe behavioral issues. What happens to those kids in a choice environment? I assume private/charter, etc. schools will be able to choose the kids they accept just as parents can choose the schools. Will we end up with local public schools that are essentially holding tanks for kids who couldn’t get accepted elsewhere?