Myths versus Facts
Opponents of school choice are often all too familiar with the “myths” about school choice, something they too often confuse with facts. Even in Richmond when they stand up to oppose legislation that would give families access to greater educational options, they often start using using the myths for reasons, while ignoring the facts.
At School Choice Virginia, one of our missions is to help educate folks on the facts about school choice. The national organization, All Children Matter, has compiled information to help dispell some of the most common myths surrounding school choice.
Their full list is available online here, but some highlights include:
Myth: School choice drains money from public schools, leaving them under-funded.
Answer: Quite the opposite is the case. In most cases, when a student leaves a public school due to a choice program that student’s per-pupil funding remains intact or is only partially removed from the public school. Through school choice, public schools are aided by reduced overcrowding and a reduction in fiscal burdens.
Myth: School choice means abandoning public schools.
Answer: Public schools are a treasured part of American society and, in many cases, offer a quality education for our children. School choice does not always mean that people have to choose private or religious schools. Public schools, including charter schools, are an important part of the school choice movement. Sometimes, choosing a different public school is the best option for a child.
The school choice movement seeks better schools, whether traditional public, charter public, private or religious. The problem is that many schools are failing. Some families have the financial freedom to move to a better public school district or attend a private school, but many more families do not. School choice is the just Answer to this problem.
Myth: School choice, especially tax credits and vouchers, is just another way to benefit the wealthy and help them subsidize their children’s education.
Answer: The wealthy already have school choice. Financial considerations are much less of an issue for them than finding the best school. The only families without school choice are the financially burdened, especially those who cannot afford to move to a better school district. The school choice movement desires to give these families the same freedom that the wealthy already have.
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