For years, Americans have been told the same thing.
If parents are given more educational choices, public schools will suffer.
It's an argument that has been repeated by politicians, special interest groups, and education organizations across the country.
Arkansas decided to put that claim to the test.
Instead of telling parents what was best for their children, state leaders chose a different path.
They expanded educational options through Education Freedom Accounts, allowing more families to choose private schools, homeschool programs, microschools, and other learning environments that fit their children's needs.
The results caught people's attention.
A recent Wall Street Journal opinion article highlighted a report on Arkansas's Education Freedom Account program. According to the report, participating students scored above nearly 60% of students nationwide in both math and English.
60%. That should make every parent stop and think.
School choice is often described as a political issue. It shouldn't be. It's a children's issue.
Every child is different.
Some students thrive in a traditional public school classroom. Others do better in a charter school. Some excel in private schools. Others flourish through homeschooling or microschools.
There has never been a single educational model that works for every child.
Parents understand this.
They see their children every day. They know their strengths. They know their struggles. They know when something is working and when it is not.
As a homeschool director, I have seen this principle firsthand. No two children learn exactly alike.
Some need more structure. Some need more flexibility. Some need a quieter environment. Others need more individual attention.
Education works best when we focus on the student instead of protecting a system.
That doesn't mean public schools are unimportant. Far from it.
Many public schools serve families well. Many teachers devote their lives to helping children learn, grow, and succeed.
They deserve appreciation for the work they do every day.
The goal should never be to pit one form of education against another. The goal should be to give families meaningful choices while encouraging every school to provide the best education possible.
When parents have options, schools have an opportunity to improve, innovate, and better serve the students who depend on them.
That benefits everyone.
Government can create opportunities. Parents get to make the decision. That's how it should be.
Critics sometimes argue that giving families more choices hurts public education. Supporters see it differently.
School choice isn't about weakening public schools. It's about making sure every child has the opportunity to learn in the environment where he or she can succeed.
Those are two very different conversations.
Another important part of Arkansas's program is accountability. According to the Wall Street Journal article, the program includes safeguards to help ensure education funds are spent on approved educational expenses.
That distinction matters.
Parents deserve choices. Taxpayers deserve accountability.
Those two ideas are not enemies. They belong together.
Arkansas's experience doesn't answer every question about education, but it does raise an important one.
What if trusting parents leads to better outcomes for children?
If Arkansas's reported success continues, policymakers across the country, including here in Nevada, would be wise to study what's working, ask thoughtful questions, and keep one goal at the center of every decision:
What is best for the child?
Because when children succeed, families succeed.
And when families succeed, America grows stronger.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
