Time to end secret data laboratories—starting with the CDC
The American people are waking up to the fact that too many public health leaders have not always been straight with them. Despite housing treasure…
Thought Leader: Marty Makary
Allen West: What is School Choice?
I do not think we have a very clear understanding of what “school choice” means.
Last week I had the opportunity to sit on a panel to discuss school choice in Texas. The panel discussion, which was a little tense at some points, was hosted by the Dallas Express and moderated by Chris Putnam. It was a very enlightening panel because the question posed as the topic of this missive played out during the session.
I do not think we have a very clear understanding of what “school choice” means. When I hear people use language such as “universal school choice,” well, it sends chills down my spine because of the word “universal,” which was also used to describe Obamacare as “universal healthcare.” I also do not like the use of the word comprehensive emanating from elected officials or relating to legislation.
So what is universal school choice?
What we should truly be discussing is educational freedom. To me, this is the civil rights issue of our present time. How do we set the conditions and enable, empower, parents to be able to provide the best possible educational opportunity to their children. That to me is quite different from this blanket “universal school choice” effort.
This is an important debate to have since everyone is cheering and applauding the fact that Governor Abbott made school choice a priority. The Texas State Senate has passed SB 2. The Texas State House says they will pass school choice.
But, how does the Republican Party of Texas define this?
The 2024 Republican Party of Texas Platform states on Page 15, “Parents’ Rights — Plank 84. School Choice: We support further empowering all Texas families to choose from public, private, charter, or homeschool options for their children’s education and funding which shall follow the student with no strings attached.
We oppose regulations on homeschooling or the curriculum of private or religious schools and believe a constitutional amendment should be adopted accordingly. In lieu of funding, citizens may use property tax exemptions.”
Why does this platform plan matter? Texas has a Republican Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, State Senate, and State House. So it would seem that this would be an easy layup to get passed following the Republican Party of Texas platform . . . unless it does not matter.
The so-called Texas Senate school choice bill, SB2, which passed the chamber requires government pre-approval of the educational decisions parents make under this “school choice” program. SB 2 states, “money received under the program may be used only for the following education-related expenses incurred by a participating child at a pre-approved education service provider or vendor of education products.
Uh, it does not take a rocket surgeon to figure out that SB 2 is not aligned with the Plank 84 of the RPT platform. Who is it exactly that approves the education service provider or vendor of education products? This does not sound like educational freedom to me . . . Does it to you?
Instead of issuing a voucher, why not enable Flexible Education Savings Accounts that are tax credits, not vouchers? Here in Texas, parents can file against their property tax assessment, another sore topic in that Texas violates the Natural Rights theory of John Locke in taxing your property.
If there are parents who do not have said property tax payments because they live in multifamily use dwellings, known as apartments, they can submit their education expenses per semester and be refunded. No illegals should be able to participate in this educational freedom program.
The purpose of an educational freedom program would be to enable parents to break the cycle of relegating their children to failing schools. As attendance drops at schools that are failing, their funding does as well. If you want the status quo of something, subsidize it.
But it is not just this that needs changing. We need to address who allow to be in front of our children. Texas right now is reeling from a massive certification cheating scandal. If you subscribe to the Texas Scorecard, it is almost daily that we read of inappropriate behavior of teachers with students.
When I retired from the US Army, I was recruited by a program called Troops to Teachers. This would be an opportunity to bring highly disciplined and well-educated retired senior military leaders into the classroom.
I am not a fan of comprehensive — there’s that word again — tests. Yes, we need to have a standard, but we can ill afford to just teach to a test as a means to validate a successful school. I saw that in Florida with the Florida Comprehensive Aptitude Test (FCAT) where I did not see students during the period called FCAT immersion because I taught Honors American History and Government . . . neither were testable items.
Let’s not do the same ol political thing, rushing to get something passed and then watching politicians pat themselves on the back. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and if we do not clearly define what the measures of effectiveness are, we will just continue sinking the ship of education.
By the way, less government intrusion into this matter is certainly welcome. Jimmy Carter created the federal Department of Education because of pressure from teachers unions, another reason why Troops to Teachers would be advisable. At the Dallas Express panel discussion, I asked if someone could articulate the task and purpose of the Texas Education Association?
None of those government agencies are a value-add for educational freedom.
As Chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party, I do not support SB 2 as it is incongruent with the RPT Plank 84. As well, I am a product of educational freedom, along with my daughters, and a former high school teacher.
I only taught HS for one year. It was not an enjoyable experience, so I volunteered to go back into a combat zone, Afghanistan, for two and a half years to teach and mentor the Afghanistan National Army. I got tired of breaking up fights and fighting against a failing bureaucracy in education. Yeah, it was that bad . . . Bad enough to go back to allowing people to shoot at me.
Steadfast and Loyal.
This article is from WWSG exclusive thought leader, Allen West.
Relevant posts
David Frum: How Harris Roped a Dope
This piece is by WWSG exclusive thought leader, David Frum. Vice President Kamala Harris walked onto the ABC News debate stage with a mission: trigger…
Thought Leader: David Frum
Michael Baker: Ukraine’s Faltering Front, Polish Sabotage Foiled, & Trump vs. Kamala
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief with Mike Baker: We examine Russia’s ongoing push in eastern Ukraine. While Ukrainian forces continue their offensive…
Thought Leader: Mike Baker
More with this speaker
Allen West: The Modern Day Redcoats
Thought Leader: Allen West
Allen West: Mexico, Marxists, and the Second Amendment
Thought Leader: Allen West
Allen West: Honey, the Kids Are Throwing a Tantrum … Again
Thought Leader: Allen West