A High Stakes Public Education Debate

by Ann Beaudry, CEO, Center for Policy Alternatives

This fall marks the beginning of a crucial year for public education in America. This November, two large states will decide by referendum whether to divert taxpayer money to private schools. Then, beginning in January, state legislatures will consider a wave of new education proposals. By the end of the school year, the debate over education policy could be transformed, for better or worse.

The immediate issue is private school vouchers. Initiatives in California and Michigan would set up systems where money would be taken out of public school budgets to pay tuition to private schools, both secular and religious. The Michigan plan. opposed by Governor John Engler. would initially only apply to a small number of urban school systems but could be expanded across the state over time. The California proposal. opposed by Governor Gray Davis. would offer vouchers statewide regardless of family income, including to current private school students.

Public education faces no greater threat. Vouchers drain crucial funds from the public schools. But perhaps even worse, vouchers send a message that it’s time to “give up” on our nation’s 200-year commitment to public education. This message behind the voucher movement. that public schools are bad and can’t be fixed. is simply false. Many states have launched innovative programs to improve school facilities, student-teacher ratios, teacher qualifications and curricula. And they have higher test scores and graduation rates to show for it.

For example:

• Across Wisconsin, the SAGE program has proven that a combination of smaller class sizes, a rigorous academic curriculum, before and after-school activities, and professional development opportunities for teachers will measurably improve student achievement.

• South Carolina’s Center for Teacher Recruitment has increased the pool of high-quality teachers, which is particularly important as schools face coming teacher shortages.

• In Columbus, Ohio, master teachers serve as full-time consultants who ensure the quality of instruction by intervening if classroom teachers need their skills improved.

CPA is working to change the terms of the debate. This should not be a debate over “school choice,” because progressives. including teachers’ unions. support public school choice, charter schools and magnet schools. We must make it clear that the debate is really over whether to support or dismantle this nation’s infrastructure of public education. The stakes are quite high.

Almost all public opinion polls show that Americans consider education to be the most important political issue. And those same polls demonstrate the public’s strong support for public schools. So progressives need to go on the offensive, holding up innovations that work, and championing policies that will make our public schools stronger, better learning environments for all our children.

Election ballots are policymakers’ report cards. The public will be grading policymakers’ performance on this critical “improve, not abandon” public schools assignment.