by Wendy Howard
While working on our upcoming National School Choice Week event that will showcase the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision I noticed some similar behaviors between those who opposed desegregation in that landmark case and the behaviors of those who oppose school choice today.
Anger, hatred, name calling. Shall I go on? People can be very cruel when they feel threatened or disagree.
Growing up in Iowa, I was never subjected to racism or real hatred. There were nice people and there were mean people. Color was never a factor in determining who my friends were. At times, best friends would wind up duking it out at the bus stop and then be best friends again the next day. (Yes, I was one of those who did that.)
Our parents taught us that if you didn’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all. If you do something, do your very best or don’t bother doing it all. Most importantly, always – always – do the right thing.
Many things have changed since I grew up in Iowa, but some things haven’t. Parents still value education. Parents still know what’s best for their children.
Over the years, my daughter Jessica has accessed several schooling options. She is currently in a charter school. But back in 2009, when she was seven years old, she began a petition to remove the requirement that students be enrolled in public school for at least one year before they can enroll in a district virtual education program. Many who opposed what Jessica was doing attacked me. They even attacked her! That was my first taste of what the real world was like when dealing with what I later realized was very controversial.
Jessica had the opportunity to learn the importance of doing what we felt was right for ourselves and for others. I told Jessica that no matter whether someone agreed with us or not, she must always be respectful. That is the right thing to do. At times, I had to bite my tongue until it hurt because Jessica was watching. I had to be a good example. I had to do what I was taught.
While many choice options are available in many states, we still have a long ways to go. Parents sit on wait lists or worse yet, don’t have options that are accessible. There is strong opposition to school choice and to the idea that parents should have the ability to do what is best for their child. In fact, some organizations have even stated that parents aren’t smart enough to know what is best for their child.
I know the opposition will not end in my lifetime or yours. Everyone will continue to protect their territory and the many dollars that follow. And they will not be nice about it. But that doesn’t mean we should just let them have their way.
As we celebrate National School Choice Week later this month, and approach the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, we need to find ways for those who support school choice to come together. Whatever education sector we’re in, we all believe children deserve the opportunity for a high quality education that’s best for them
It only takes a few parent and student ambassadors from different areas of school choice to build a strong grassroots parent coalition in a state. I know that’s easier said than done, but it’s a worthy goal that will make a difference. There is strength in numbers. And nobody makes the case for school choice better than parents.
In the end, forming coalitions to more effectively push for school choice is the right thing to do. I know I’m going to follow what my parents taught me, and try my best to keep making that a reality. Please join me!
For years the school choice movement vilified teachers, portraying them as union thugs who only cared about comfy pensions and Cadillac benefits and Charter school and voucher proponents sold their substandard wears as alternatives to failing public schools. These are the good guys??
People can also be very cruel when they are trying to make a buck and everyday folks who dedicated their lives to children stand in their way.
In trying to rewrite history Mrs. Howard loses any and all credibility she may and let me repeat, may, have had.
Good morning Chris,
I think it was more of a conflation of school choice and teacher issues by school choice critics themselves. It seemed like an intentional effort to cast teachers as victims in order to mobilize them against something they might otherwise support (which amounts to a decentralization of education by empowering parents to choose the school and freeing schools from many burdensome rules so they might innovate ways to meet the needs of their students. Having taught myself, I know first hand how much teachers hate the rules piled on them by local, state and Federal officials).
Just so I have this straight in case i want to write about it later. teachers were never vilified and characterized as union thugs who only care about themselves, instead they were duped into thinking they were victims to prevent them from wanting the lower paying job without a pension, work protections and benefits from charter and voucher schools.
As for the rules, wouldn’t a better solution be to change or get rid of stifling rules rather than blowing the system up?
Also I know the better public school teachers have a way of getting around the stifling rules and innovating for their students regardless.
Hi Chris,
Well, you are kind of proving my point here by conflating several issues. If someone argued for ending tenure rules, adding merit pay, and modifying the pension system into a 401k style, they are not vilifying teachers. Pointing out bad teachers (and you would agree there are very bad teachers out there) does not vilify teachers. Criticizing the teacher union or school boards also does not vilify teachers.
Who makes up the teachers union? Teachers. Vilifying teachers unions is, by extension, vilifying teachers.
Hi TPST,
I don’t see how that would be the case. Do all teachers agree on absolutely everything with the union leadership?