We Called on Presidential Candidates to Support School Choice. On Thursday, We Learned Where Many of Them Stand.
In Houston, we heard more about education from the Democratic presidential candidates than we have in any other debate during this election cycle. The moderators began that portion of the program with a question about public charter schools that required candidates to explain whether they support giving families the ability to choose the school that’s best for their child. During the conversation that followed, candidates talked about families who are deeply frustrated because their children are trapped in low-performing schools, the ways that neighborhoods and schools have been designed to promote segregation, and how to deliver a high-quality education for every child.
Chiefs for Change on Twitter
This wk we called on candidates to support sound school choice policies as the responsible alternative to charter caps + moratoriums. At last night’s #DemDebate, it was good to see candidates touch on choice, quality, equitable access, + equitable funding:https://t.co/wPd8R3as3Z
For too long, students of color, students from low-income families, English-language learners, and students with disabilities have not had the opportunities they need and deserve. Access to high-quality schools is often tied to where a child lives or whether their family can afford to send them to private school.
Sound school choice policies that ensure quality, equitable access, and equitable funding can remove obstacles and increase opportunities for students. That is why our bipartisan network has called on all candidates to oppose the arbitrary and unproductive caps and moratoriums on the growth of public charter schools that limit options and prevent students from realizing their full potential.
Chiefs for Change on Twitter
CFC is speaking out against charter caps/moratoriums in favor of the more difficult and essential work of establishing strong school choice policies that ensure quality, equitable access, and equitable funding. Read our new statement here: https://t.co/TcYYFUMW1Z
In our statement, we challenged the presidential contenders to reject toxic rhetoric and defeatist policy proposals in favor of the more difficult and essential work of establishing strong school choice systems in the best interest of all of America’s children. Our statement was included in Politico’s Morning Education newsletter on the day of the debate and in Education Week’s debate preview.
We first outlined a blueprint for healthy and scalable systems of school choice two years ago, as our members have found that school choice helps to create diverse communities and improve the quality of education.
Everyone on the stage acknowledges the importance of an excellent education. School choice must be a part of the solution. More high-quality choices open to everyone — not fewer — offer the surest path for the millions of students who need a school where they can learn and thrive.
Mike Magee is CEO of Chiefs for Change.
