School choice has helped struggling state budgets and saved taxpayers millions. The Commonwealth Foundation reported that virtual school programs saved Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $146 million in a year by preventing school overcrowding and lessening costly construction projects.
Currently, each state’s school choice program differs, and while some have offered multiple options for parents, others have refused parents these programs entirely — effectively taking away their freedom of choice.
This session, as Congress re-examines our education policies, let’s leave everything on the table. Instead of providing grants that only benefit the public school system, Congress needs to expand funding incentives to charter schools and vouchers for private schools. Our one-size-fits-all approach to education at the federal level is falling flat, and our situation will only improve if we stop pumping resources into a broken system and invest in options with proven results and unlimited potential.
Offering parents the opportunity to choose an educational program that is committed to the success of their child is the key to creating a positive and thriving learning environment around the country.
Jason Stverak is president of the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity.
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
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