Nearly two years ago to the date, Matt Damon flew into
Washington, D.C. to speak at a “Save our Schools” rally. The groups who
comprise “Save our Schools” are a who’s who of education organizations who have
opposed every single reform over the past 30 years. The rally was against the
education reforms underway in Washington, D.C. to help fix one of the nation’s
most broken school districts. At the rally, Damon was the champion of public
schools and skewered the “corporate
reformer[s] who literally never taught anyone anything…”
As the former chairman of the Education, Libraries and Recreation Committee on the Washington, D.C. City Council, I am one of those reformers. I was an early advocate – and remain an advocate – for common sense reforms, including empowering low-income families to choose the school that best fits their child’s needs just like their higher-income neighbors.
Two years after that speech, Matt
Damon moved his family to Los Angeles and has chosen to send his children to
private school.
Hypocrisy? Not according to Damon: "Sending our kids in
my family to private school was a big, big, big deal. And it was a giant family
discussion.”
That sounds like a conversation many families have when discussing whether their children should attend public or private schools.
As for the reason Damon ultimately chose private education, “It was a circular conversation, really, because ultimately we don't have a choice.”
That sounds like a conversation many families have when discussing whether their children should attend public or private schools.
As for the reason Damon ultimately chose private education, “It was a circular conversation, really, because ultimately we don't have a choice.”
No choice? Seriously?
Matt Damon is happy to fly into Washington, D.C. to chastise
education reforms and reformers, including the Opportunity Scholarship Program
that allows children from low-income families to attend the school of the
parents’ choice and has a 94 percent graduation rate. But, when it comes to
Matt Damon’s own family, he claims he didn’t have a choice.
This is the sad reality of the anti-education reform crowd.
Public schools – whether they’re successful or not – are fine for everyone
else’s kids, but not for the privileged. President Obama, who also opposes
D.C.’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, sends his children to the most elite
private school in all of D.C. And you know what? Good for Mr. Damon
and the President. Their families made a choice so why deny low-income families
the same opportunity to make a choice?
In 2013, we need to stop looking at education as if this
were the 1900’s. Giving parents educational choice is a necessity and a quality
education for every child, regardless of their family’s income, should be a
national imperative. Educational choice is becoming a reality for more
and more children as Democrats and Republicans come together across the country
to expand options and empower parents to choose the best education for their
child. I challenge Matt Damon to join me in supporting educational choice so
low-income families can have the same family discussion and the same
educational options as his family.
Kevin P. Chavous
Executive Counsel
American Federation for Children
--
Kevin is Democrat and former member of the Washington
D.C. city council.
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