Opponents of school choice and vouchers allege that public schools will lose funding if parents are allowed to take their children’s education dollars and enroll them in a private school. But saying that poor schools will lose funding is like saying a bad restaurant will lose customers if people have a choice about where they eat.
Studies have consistently shown that even excluding fixed costs, choice initiatives save money for local districts, as most programs only use a portion of the per-pupil expenditure. They also reduce class size, as some students select educational alternatives to public education. It is a win-win situation, as the interest of the child in both the public and private sector is placed first.
It is also a myth that funding determines quality. Surely, if that premise were true, the well-funded Washington, D.C., public schools —- the ones that our new president chose not to send his two children to —- would be the nation’s best, and the moon might be made of cheese.
Rather, it is the commitment and knowledge of the teacher in the classroom that determines quality education. That is why quality teachers in public education have nothing to fear about educational choice. No sensible, caring parent would take his or her child away from a competent, dedicated teacher. There is no greater incentive to do one’s best work than competition. Knowing parents and children could choose to go elsewhere keeps teachers on their toes.
Thomas Jefferson felt a public education system was vital to our country to insure an educated populace, but he never envisioned a monopolistic system where one’s physical address or socioeconomic standing would shape thought and knowledge.
As a pastor for 22 years, I know my sermons and ministry have to be better than the other fellow down the street, else I may lose my parishioners. It is competition in our free enterprise system that has given Americans the highest standard of living ever known to man. Just imagine what competition could do for the educational level of children in both the public and private sector.
We have the best colleges and universities in the world here. People travel from all over the world to attend our institutions of higher learning. That is because we have a choice in selecting our colleges and universities. Let’s make them as envious of our elementary and secondary schools by breaking the chains of a monopoly and summoning the energy and best efforts of all committed and competent teachers. There is no greater cause in which to fight for freedom than for our children.
> William J. Kontyko III is pastor of Northside Independent Methodist Church in Sandy Springs.
