Parents are forced to make difficult choices when considering what is best for their children. Finding high quality schooling can be very challenging.
- Local schools may appear to be failing, and
- Money for vouchers are readily available to be used at private or religious schools
- Given these lived experiences, I do not disagree with such choices at all.
However a few things have changed about EdChoice and the voucher system in Ohio that we should be aware of.
- Indeed, just about every family now qualifies, regardless of financial situation.
- As well, the money has to come from somewhere, and
- Currently, it is taken from public schools leaving them under-resourced and at risk of closure.
Indeed, there is much evidence that EdChoice, and programs like it around the country, are a divide and conquer policy initiative by conservative politicians designed to
- Defund public education, and
- Enrich businesses
- The strategy traces to the Schools of Choice in the 1950’s!*
The most vulnerable schools are in impoverished areas where the majority of the students are brown and black.
- They are being pitted against children whose families use vouchers for their children, instead of with them!
Because of this, more and more schools are joining a large class action suit that is predicted to go to the Supreme Court.
From a broader perspective, we will be studying this more directly in a few weeks.
Welcome to ED2110 School & Society -- Dr. David Shutkin 