Conservative “think tankers” give POTUS Donnie props on his School Choice initiative yet want him to shelve the idea because they believe it will actually give the Federal Gov more control over private institutions – PB/TK
Conservative Education Policy Experts to Trump: Don’t Pursue Federal School Choice – By Lauren Camera US NEWS/ Aug 23 2017
Top conservative education policy experts are warning the White House not to pursue federal programs for school choice – a pillar of the administration’s education agenda – just as lawmakers prepare to debate the mechanism for implementing a major part of it.
“Trump deserves credit for seeing the need to weaken a government monopoly, let parents choose the best education for their unique children and leave educators free to teach as they see fit,” they wrote in a co-authored op-ed in the Washington Post. “But there is great risk in federalizing choice: He who pays the piper calls the tune, and federal control could ultimately impose the same regulations on once-independent schools that have stifled public institutions.”
The shot across the bow comes as lawmakers ready their return to the Capitol next week with tax reform at the top of their agenda – widely speculated as the main vehicle being considered for a private school program in the form of a scholarship tax credit.
Trump has pledged to direct $20 billion to school choice policies, including public school choice options, like charter schools, as well as private school choice options, including vouchers, savings accounts and tax credits.
Continue to usnews.com article: https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2017-08-23/conservative-education-policy-experts-to-trump-dont-pursue-federal-school-choice
