Political change unfolds in three stages. First, when a new idea comes along, they will say that reform is unthinkable.
Then as the idea starts to take hold, opponents admit that it might be a good idea after all, but it is unfortunately impractical. Finally, at the third stage they will tell you it was their idea all along.
School choice, the idea that we give families control over their child’s education tax dollars, is no longer unthinkable. Several states, including our neighbor, Arkansas, give each child an Education Freedom Account, into which the state pays about $8,000 – 10,000 each year.
Mom and dad are then able to allocate that money to either a public, private or church school of their choice. They are even allowed to use the funds to home school their kids. School choice is now a reality in half a dozen states across America.
One practical objection we are starting to hear is that school choice will not work in rural areas that only have one available local school.
Surely a lack of options is a reason to extend choice, not to limit it? If there is only a single school available, all the more important that we allow families to use some of their children’s tax dollars to pay for additional tutoring, or some alternative lessons, on top.
Others object to school choice on the grounds that it would defund public education. Allowing families to choose their grocery store does not ‘defund’ Walmart. Allowing families to choose their school does not ‘defund’ public schools.
Since when did those tax dollars belong to the school board bureaucracy? Our tax dollars are there to educate our children. School choice would give every family the opportunity to choose what is best for their children.
When opponents of parent power claim that giving families control over the money would mean less money for school board bureaucrats, they are making an important admission. They are acknowledging that if they were able to, some families would chose something different.
I believe that Education Freedom is the single most important thing that we need to do to improve Mississippi for the better. While there has been some progress in education with the adoption of phonic teaching, I think everyone would agree that there are still far too many young Mississippians not proficient at math and English.
Over the coming months, we will hear all kinds of practical excuses advanced against parent power. Do not be discouraged. Those citing practical objections against parent power are doing so because they have had to abandon any principled opposition.
Douglas Carswell, President & CEO, Mississippi Center for Public Policy.
