School Choice; Vouchers and Charter Schools. I've written a lot about these, but just a few more points....

The thinking is that since some schools are bad, that all parents that cannot afford private education, should be treated like one who can afford private education, and be able to choose the school of their choice, using the money they pay in school taxes.  It sounds reasonable, but see other points of view.

Most believe in equal opportunity. And most agree that education is the key. In order to make that happen, every community and person has to do their part. If a neighborhood school is not up to par, such that some parents of that community would choose another, by using public and not personal funds, why would that school be good enough for any child? If not good enough, the local school board should improve it, or close it down.

If choice, what happens when the so called "good" schools are overcrowded, and certain parents can not choose them, while others can? And then, what happens when there becomes disparity among the so called "good" schools?

Schools are usually judged by staff, curriculum, and activities, and by student behavior. If we are to judge by the first three, it should be quite clear that there has to be a demand that these be great every where. But if we are to judge by the behavior of the students, choice will not make things better.

If a neighborhood is undesirable, let's say, with their own money, people can move. But what if they can not afford to? We expect law enforcement to do their job and serve and protect those in that community, exactly the same as law enforcement would in the more desirable communities, and for all in the neighborhood to come together and find ways to be better. Being a public service, that is required and guaranteed to all in America, why should education be different?

The question becomes then, whose money does all the money allocated to public education belong to. The answer is clear that it belongs to the community, and not individuals, because every resident pays, even those that are without children. Should not those residents without kids, also have options about where their school taxes are sent if parents are given the choice where they spend their school tax dollars? That would only be fair after all, if they too deem that their neighborhood school isn't good enough. What if every one, including parents that opted and pay for private school, also were permitted to direct where their portion of school taxes went? The entire scenario surely could never lead to nation wide equality and fairness for all. And the children caught in the middle, society will eventually have to deal with any way, one day. It is much wiser to deal with them while they're young and still developing, for the better hope of us all. Care and concern for all, and every child, yours and theirs is just right. We must do so much more than just "deal" with them. I correct myself.

A sub topic within and pertaining to school choice, are charter schools, which are publicly and privately funded, but primarily privately run. They give another option to parents, and also give whole neighborhoods the choice to run schools outside of the public structure. These, across the nation have had a lot of success. What makes them different from what is written above, or vouchers, is that public funds can still stay within the communities. But I would caution all about possible accountability issues, and in introducing essentially business competition into public education. It is better to focus on making all American public education the absolute best it can be in the world among all nations.

Quality public education must made available for every child in every neighborhood. All schools, staff, school boards, politicians, parents and every student too, must be held accountable to the same standard. Though application may vary, we must demand equality. No exceptions.

Education is with out a doubt the head of the foundation of all equal opportunity and of that phrase that is being used often by Republicans recently, "upward mobility".  And yes, it is time to add Pre-K to the public education requirement, nationwide.

God Bless America. Do I have to say that good, quality education is major part of that?

Yulanda K. - Public Servant and Politician.