But even before the strike, there were far too many children trapped in failing schools that was providing them with a substandard education.
As negotiations between the CTU and city officials continue, lawmakers in Illinois and around the country would do well to take this time to think about our educational priorities. And while they sadly seem to have become collateral damage in a fight between adults, foremost among those priorities should be our children.
And among the most important answers to that question is school choice.
If
parents in Chicago—and everywhere else—had real options as to where to send their kids to school, they would have the
opportunity to choose the education they feel is best for their children and, as a result, achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment would all increase. With all options on the table, including
private school choice, children, not special interests or money, would be the
centerpiece of this discussion.
And
Illinois has in the past seriously considered these options. Back in
2010, the Illinois Senate passed legislation that would have created a statewide voucher
program, And leaders in Chicago and
throughout the state continue to support vouchers. Among them:
- Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard, who believes “it’s a matter of making
sure the dollars follow children. If 500 traditional [Chicago Public
School Students] would go to the parochial schools…the proportional share
(of dollars) should to the school actually educating those children.”
- Chicago City Clerk
Susana Mendoza, who for voted in favor of the voucher bill while serving in
the State House in 2010
- State Senator James
Meeks (D), who sponsored the voucher legislation in 2010
- The Chicago Tribune, which has printed dozens of editorials in support of bringing private school choice to the Windy City, including one as recently as two days ago
