America is seeing a rise in school choice, in spite of the teacher unions
The Rio Grande Foundation recently hosted Corey DeAngelis, a leading advocate for private school choice, for a series of impactful events in New Mexico. DeAngelis, renowned for his vocal support of educational reform, spoke at gatherings in Albuquerque and Alamogordo, focusing on the flaws within government-operated educational systems and the tactics employed by left-leaning groups to influence American schools.
DeAngelis’ new book, “The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools,” explores the challenges faced by the education system, particularly highlighting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The book argues that private school choice is an increasingly popular solution to these issues. It serves not only as a resource for parents nationwide but also as a guide for resisting what DeAngelis sees as ideological dominance in education. Emphasizing the mantra “fund students, not systems,” DeAngelis is at the forefront of the movement advocating for private school choice.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the significant influence of teacher unions over the education system. Despite mounting evidence showing that schools were relatively low-risk environments, unions vehemently opposed reopening schools, prioritizing their own interests over the needs of students. The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed that test scores had reverted to levels not seen since 1990, yet unions largely ignored this academic regression, focusing instead on protecting their own interests.
DeAngelis argues that by controlling educational systems, political progressives can effectively disseminate their ideology and generate a larger pool of Democratic voters. This control diminishes parental choice and limits opportunities for students to attend schools outside of government oversight. President Biden’s statement, “There is no such thing as someone else’s child,” epitomizes what DeAngelis views as the left’s overarching belief in centralized control over education.
In contrast, private school choice provides families with the ability to direct educational tax dollars to schools of their choice through Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs). This system offers greater financial flexibility for parents to select schools and tailor their children’s education, countering the centralized control favored by some political groups. This approach not only empowers parents but also promotes competition among schools, encouraging public schools to enhance their performance to attract students.
The competition fostered by private school choice can drive innovation and improvement in education. As parents gain more options and choose higher-performing schools, public schools are incentivized to raise their standards. Despite resistance from unions and some progressive factions, the movement toward private school choice is gaining momentum.
In just three years, twelve states have adopted universal private school choice programs: Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, Utah, Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, Montana, Iowa, and Arkansas. Arizona alone has seen 80,000 families enroll in ESAs. The rapid adoption of these policies across various states represents a significant win for the private school choice movement, with more states likely to follow suit.
Private school choice represents a compelling response to the perceived ideological control in education. By focusing on funding students rather than systems, this approach offers a more effective and beneficial alternative, supporting both family choice and educational quality.
