Reform? Go for the whole package!
Great letter to the editor in The Indianapolis Star from Robert Enlow, President of the Friedman Foundation.
As we’ve noted, Indiana has recently joined the ever-growing list of states to embrace school choice, and Governor Mitch Daniels recently hosted former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to share Florida’s successes with education reform.
In his letter, “Go for whole package of school reform, not pieces,” Mr. Enlow urges support for a comprehensive package of education reforms for Indiana in order to ensure success for students. He writes:
Bush argued for a comprehensive package of reforms, all of which were critical to Florida’s success. In his remarks to the Education Roundtable, clear accountability (grading schools), good incentives (merit pay) and real consequences (school choice) were inextricably linked. Without each component working together, success would not have been possible, a fact evidenced by a recent study showing that improvement among failing public schools went from double digits to zero after the Florida Supreme Court removed the school voucher option.
There is no one silver bullet to improve education. But a comprehensive package of reforms, including greater accountability and school choice, will help to give all students a better chance at academic success.
Virginia leaders, too, should take note. While we are encouraged by greater talk about charter schools from the two candidates for Governor, Virginians need to ask whether these candidates are ready to stand up and support a broad package of comprehensive education reforms- a package that includes greater parental choice in education.
Indiana Joins Growing List of School Choice-States
Great news coming out of Indiana late last night, as the legislature approved and Governor Mitch Daniels signed into law a new scholarship tax credit program, giving students and families access to educational choices.
This is great news for Indiana families, as their state becomes the 11th (including DC) to provide school choice programs.
Let’s continue working to add Virginia to that growing list and provide Virginia families access to meaningful school choice options!
