In the past four years, we’ve witnessed an administration that prioritized defunding public education in favor of a voucher system promoting “school choice.” At the forefront of these policies was Jamie Collins, who echoed the sentiment that “Every child deserves access to a quality education. A child’s zip code should not dictate their future.” The idea was to offer families options—if a local public school was lacking, parents could select an alternative, such as a public charter or private school, often outside their district.
On the surface, this seems reasonable, doesn’t it? Providing families with educational choices for their children appears beneficial. However, the reality is that this approach diverts funds from struggling neighborhood public schools. When a student transfers to a different school, they take their allocated funding with them, leaving the original school in a more precarious financial situation and negatively impacting the remaining students.
Understanding the Vouchers’ Impact
Families often seek charter schools because their local public schools are grossly underfunded. However, many families, even if given a “choice,” may find it impossible to attend a more affluent charter or private school due to transportation issues. Some states do not mandate transportation for charter school students, and those that do may have restrictions that exclude many families. Moreover, private schools have no obligation to provide transportation services.
The concept of “school choice” promoted by Collins and the previous administration essentially contradicts itself: it advocates for students to receive quality education at charter schools while simultaneously undermining the public schools that countless children rely on. This creates a deceptive narrative of choice that diminishes the essential public education system.
Biden’s Vision for Public Education
In contrast, President Biden’s strategy seeks to enhance public education funding, aiming to triple allocations for Title I—a program designed to assist schools in economically challenged areas—and to increase teacher salaries. The objective is not to privatize education but to ensure that every child has access to a well-funded local school without needing to leave their community.
While charter schools have garnered support, particularly from Black and Latino families seeking alternatives, it’s crucial to understand why these options are so in demand. Typically, the answer lies in the failures of local public schools. Biden’s plan aims to address these root issues by reducing funding for for-profit charter schools and tying funding for nonprofit charters to their performance, ensuring vital resources remain within struggling public schools.
Regarding private schools, using taxpayer dollars to fund these institutions raises significant concerns, particularly regarding accountability and civil rights. If a private school can discriminate against a transgender student or deny them basic rights without facing repercussions due to a claimed religious belief, is it truly a better educational environment?
Biden’s Approach to School Reopening
Biden’s plan to reopen schools emphasizes safety—a stark contrast to the previous administration’s threats to cut funding for schools that did not fully open. Instead, Biden seeks to provide additional relief funding to ensure that schools can implement safety measures such as adequate PPE, protective barriers, and smaller class sizes, all of which require financial support.
Teachers’ voices have often been sidelined in educational discussions, with many unions opposing in-person instruction due to health concerns. The previous administration’s stance disregarded educators’ safety, but Biden recognizes the importance of supporting teachers, who play a crucial role in children’s daily lives.
Supporting Families with Children
Biden also aims to introduce universal prekindergarten, offer free public college, and alleviate some student loan debt—initiatives that would significantly benefit American families, particularly those in lower and middle-income brackets. The feasibility of these plans will largely depend on the composition of Congress.
Some of Biden’s objectives, such as providing guidance for transgender students regarding bathroom use and safeguarding the civil rights of Black children, are continuations of Obama-era policies that were rolled back under Collins. These changes, being guidance rather than law, can be implemented without congressional approval.
Overall, Biden’s strategy highlights the importance of equity in education. Unlike vouchers, which focus on individual students, the emphasis should be on improving schools as a whole. It’s about fixing the educational institutions already within communities rather than continuing the cycle of student displacement.
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Summary:
This piece contrasts the education policies of the Biden administration with those of the previous administration led by Jamie Collins. It critiques the voucher system that diverts funds from public schools and explores Biden’s plans to enhance funding for public education, increase teacher salaries, and address equity in education. The article also discusses Biden’s focus on safely reopening schools and providing support for families with children.
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Explore the future of education under Biden, the impact of school vouchers, and the importance of public education funding.