Allen: The Real Ed Reform Schism Is Between Parents Who Need School Choice & Elites Who Just Don’t Get It

Allen: The Real Ed Reform Schism Is Between Parents Who Need School Choice & Elites Who Just Don’t Get It

In recent times, there has been much discussion about a deep divide in the field of educational reform. A recent article by Geoff Mulvihill of the Associated Press highlighted this divide, stating that there are two distinct groups within the movement: one advocating for using choice to enhance public schools, and the other, spearheaded by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, pushing for more radical changes.

It is quite common for journalists to emphasize a division when there are diverse opinions, leading well-intentioned advocates to either dispute the existence of such a schism or, worse, resulting in a flurry of articles, tweets, and other forms of media that reinforce this theory.

This is not a new phenomenon, as it has been a recurring theme in education reporting, even if it is not entirely accurate. In October 2015, Richard Whitmire, a contributor to USA Today, wrote about "The Democrats’ Great Education Schism," detailing the divide between traditional liberals who oppose any deviations from the status quo and those who support various school options like charter schools. Months later, Michael Petrilli of The Fordham Institute likened the schism within the school choice movement to a family feud that escalates as the family grows larger and more diverse.

However, all of these discussions hold little relevance for the millions of Americans who deeply care about education and desperately need access to quality opportunities at all levels. These individuals value the freedom to determine where, when, and how they and their families receive an education. Regardless of whether 300 elites across different issue areas, political ideologies, or social divisions disagree on the extent to which educational choices should be allowed at the local, state, or federal level, tens of millions of families are still being inadequately served by outdated 20th-century schools in the 21st century. Debates about whether charter schools should expand or how much freedom of choice is too much tend to ignore the immediate needs of real children whose lives and futures are being sacrificed to protect failing traditional schools at all costs.

The true divide lies between parents who are told they cannot be trusted to make crucial decisions about their children’s education and those who reside in positions of privilege, such as the Ivory Tower or the 45th floor of office buildings in various cities. It is the parents fighting for real power and teachers fed up with restrictive environments who initially gave rise to the movement for education choice. Since the early 1990s, these individuals have found support from a range of political and economic backgrounds. For example, Milwaukee Assemblywoman Polly Williams, School Superintendent Howard Fuller, and Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson teamed up to create the state’s first educational choice plan. Even after Williams’ passing, Fuller praised her legacy, acknowledging that the parent choice movement would not have existed without her courageous efforts. Williams, a mother of four with limited resources, exemplified the spirit of the original education choice pioneers. In a 2010 interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, she simply stated that she was fighting for parents, regardless of their economic status, to have a say in their children’s education.

Another example is T. Willard Fair, a civil rights leader in Miami, who worked with Governor Jeb Bush to establish education choice programs in Florida. In a recent column in USA Today, Fair expressed his frustration, stating that nobody cared when black children were being consigned to failing schools that condemned them to a life of poverty and dependence. However, as soon as the parents of these children were given the opportunity to choose alternative educational options, suddenly people who supposedly care about where these students go to school emerged from the woodwork.

Polly Williams and Willard Fair, among thousands of others over the past 25 years, were willing to put aside political differences to advocate for school choice for all children. This is precisely why the movement has been successful. They would never waste time discussing who is causing a schism with whom because they understand that lives are at stake.

The AP article missed the mark by misrepresenting the purpose, legacy, and current state of educational opportunities. It wrongly placed value on the opinions and ideas of elite individuals, many of whom are unaware of the origins of education choice and how a diverse group of people came together to pass significant legislation. And even if there are a few individuals across the country who argue that proposals either go too far or not far enough, is it really newsworthy? Disagreement is a common occurrence and should not be blown out of proportion.

The current situation is not beneficial for children, and this fact is undeniably evident, yet unfortunately, many individuals are unaware of this reality. Keep yourself informed by receiving stories like these directly in your email inbox. Simply sign up for Newsletter.