Thousands of low income North Carolina students wait for a judge’s decision to see if they will have an opportunity that high income families have every day. Opportunity scholarships hang in the balance. And the policy discussion continues – should all families have options in educating their children? If a district school does not meet a child’s needs, should they be able to get out? Who is better equipped to make that decision? Families? Parents? Judges? Educrats? Is school choice a good idea?
An annual Friedman Foundation poll of over 1,000 parents across the US tells us what parents think:
58% think K-12 education is on the wrong track; 33% say it’s on the right track
61% support charter school; 26% oppose
63% support vouchers; 33% oppose
56% support an educational savings account; 34% oppose
When given a choice 37% would choose public school, 40% a private school, 10% a public charter school and 11% home school.
Parents like it, students like it, outcomes are better. What’s the problem?