Randi Weingarten’s outrage on school choice and ‘democracy’ is simply projecting
In 2023, school choice options for America’s children expanded in 20 states, marking a significant legislative victory. This progress seemed to trigger a meltdown from Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, who went on to argue that school choice “undermines democracy.” However, it is Weingarten’s relentless pursuit of maintaining failing public schools as the only educational option that truly threatens self-government.
The founders of our nation recognized the importance of an educated citizenry for self-rule. Thomas Jefferson, for instance, believed that an educated population is necessary for the consent of the governed. Hence, the founders advocated for a public education system where the government funds the education of young citizens.
According to the founders, government-funded education aims to provide a quality education for children, not to preserve power for teachers unions. When traditional public education fails to properly educate our children, as is the case now, public funds should follow the students, not the failing institutions. The politicization and declining standards of public education are detrimental to our “democracy,” as evidenced by citizenship tests for newcomers and lower test scores.
Consequences of Weingarten’s Priorities
Weingarten used her platform to advocate for prolonged school closures during the pandemic, making demands unrelated to public health. These closures could have been avoided, as seen in countries like Sweden and Denmark, where students missed minimal in-person school days. Many private schools in America remained open and prioritized their students. This highlights the need to expand access and options for our children. Weingarten’s fearmongering about privatizing education is unfounded, as school choice advocates argue for public funds to follow the students. Prolonged school closures and declining standards disproportionately affect low-income children and exacerbate economic inequalities.
During the pandemic, approximately 1.2 million children left K-12 public schools, with parents recognizing their failure. However, children from families with fewer resources were trapped in Weingarten’s prison, denied in-person education for reasons more related to power than public health. Weingarten may point fingers, but her actions have had catastrophic consequences. American students’ math scores dropped significantly during the pandemic, and prolonged school closures have contributed to high absenteeism rates.
Union Head and Other Liberals Flee the Sinking Ship
Even staunch public school supporters are abandoning ship. The head of the Chicago Teachers Union enrolled her child in a private high school after opposing school choice. Similarly, a school board member from Fairfax County, Virginia, voted for prolonged school closures but sent her own children to private educational pods. It seems public schools are good enough for their children but not for others.
Weingarten, the leader of anti-choice advocates, boasts about the majority of children still attending public schools, where she tries to hold them captive. However, many children would choose other options if given the opportunity. The need for competition becomes evident when a failing education system prioritizes closed schools, reduced standards, and the suspension of teacher evaluations.
Supporting School Choice and Saving ‘Democracy’
Competition would decrease Weingarten’s power and potentially improve public school performance. Parents would have viable and affordable alternatives for their children’s education, forcing public school teachers and administrators to focus on teaching critical thinking rather than indoctrination. School choice is crucial for meeting the diverse needs of American families. Let’s celebrate National School Choice Week from January 21-27, 2024, as we recognize the importance of providing quality education for all children. To save self-government and revive our education system, we must embrace school choice and competition.
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How does Weingarten’s opposition to school choice undermine the principles of democracy and individual freedom
From Educational Reality
It is concerning that Weingarten, as the president of a major teachers’ union, would prioritize the preservation of failing public schools over the education and well-being of our children. This raises questions about the motives of teachers’ unions and their resistance to change and improvement within the education system. Weingarten’s opposition to school choice and her resistance to alternative education options undermines the principles of democracy and individual freedom. It is essential to acknowledge that parents should have the right to choose the educational path that best suits their child’s needs, whether it be a traditional public school, charter school, private school, or homeschooling. By limiting options and forcing children into failing public schools, Weingarten is denying them the opportunity to reach their full potential and stifling their educational growth. School choice allows parents to tailor their child’s education to their individual needs and preferences. It fosters competition among schools, which leads to increased innovation, improved performance, and better outcomes for students. By introducing market forces into education, school choice promotes accountability and encourages schools to provide a high-quality education or risk losing enrollment. Furthermore, school choice empowers parents, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, who may not have had access to quality education options in their neighborhood. It breaks the cycle of poverty and allows children to escape failing schools that trap them in a cycle of underachievement. The ability to choose the best educational environment for their child gives parents hope and the power to shape their child’s future. The opposition to school choice by figures like Randi Weingarten highlights the entrenched interests and resistance to change within the education system. It is crucial for us to prioritize the education and well-being of our children over the preservation of failing institutions. School choice promotes competition, innovation, and empowerment, providing a path to a brighter future for all students. It is time to challenge the status quo and give parents the freedom to choose the educational path that best suits their child’s needs.The Benefits of School Choice
Conclusion
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