National School Choice Week Is About Celebrating Uniqueness
Hispanic families understand the life-changing value of educational opportunity. And they know that every student in America deserves a quality education that fits his or her unique talents. Time and time again, polls have shown that Hispanics rank education as a top issue.
Hispanic families in particular understand that their children, have different learning styles, abilities and talents that are best met when they have access to a number of educational options. As evidence of this, Hispanics consistently show higher support for school choice policies compared to other demographic groups. Our diversity is what makes our country and our communities strong, and we deserve educational options capable of fully leveraging it.
Our individualism is something to be celebrated, especially in our children. But when it comes to their education, our children are often stuck in a one-size-fits-all system rather than one that focuses on what every individual child needs. The same educational setting and system that is effective for one child may not be effective for another.
Students and families should have access to a quality education that fits their needs and helps them succeed. To honor the qualities and characteristics that make our children who they are, our education policies should allow every family to choose the right school for their students, whether it’s public, private, charter, homeschooling or a whole handful of other options.
When families have the freedom to choose the best education for their children, everyone wins. Just look at Florida.
The state made significant gains in performance and accessibility to programs tailored to each student’s needs. In March, Gov. Rick Scott signed HB 7055 into law, which took huge steps toward more education freedom for all students. The bill:
- Created the Hope Scholarship, allowing alternative education options for victims of bullying and harassment;
- Established more accountability and transparency requirements for public unions, which allow educators to take control over their representation; and,
- Made permanent the Principal Autonomy Pilot Program, which boosted the number of schools that benefit from increased administrative flexibility.
Florida’s education reforms are just one example of how we can embrace our children’s unique learning abilities and talents to set them up for the brightest possible future!
Support more educational freedom for families and students all over the country!