Over the last year, we have learned that the risk to children and teachers of being infected by the COVID-19 virus while in classrooms is relatively low.
Although precautions are warranted to keep that risk as low as possible, resuming in-person classwork is feasible. Many parents therefore want their kids back in school. Especially if those kids find it hard to learn “virtually.”
But around the country, many teachers, led by adamant teachers unions, refuse to return to work. Chicago, California, West Virginia, and DC are among the cities and states having trouble getting teachers to reenter classrooms.
I encourage parents to consider teaching their kids themselves (as my wife and I have done, her mainly). Not every family can homeschool. But some who could do it just haven’t given the possibility much thought. Now would be the time to give it a little more thought.
More parents could also send their kids to private schools with the help of tax breaks or vouchers. What I mean is that if a kid costs $5,000 a year to educate at a public school, let parents have $5,000 in the form of a tax credit or voucher to send their kid to a private school that is open for business.
The politics of expanding school choice is often difficult. But if more parents start pushing, we can do this. Beleaguered parents in teacher-union-blockaded regions have a good argument: the fact that they have no other choice.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
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2 replies on “The Only Choice Left?”
We need less, not more, government control over education. “Vouchers” and “credits” increase government control over education, turning formerly “private” schools into government-controlled schools. We’ve already seen that effect in higher education with the GI Bill and other student aid programs. In order to get that money, the schools have to be operated to the government’s tune.
Three cheers for Hillsdale College.
They don’t tow the .gov line. They accept NO govt money, including student loans.
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As to K‑12 teachers: If they don’t go back to school they don’t get paid.
It’s really that simple.
Homeschool if you can. It’s best for the kids and the future of the country.