ArgumentEssay7
Neils Bohr
Ms. Smith
English 1101
2 July 2012
School Choice: An Educational Custom Fit
It is difficult for many people to imagine if only one size of pants were sold in stores, and government regulations prevent any other size to be made available to consumers. This scenario may sound crazy, but it is much like what happens with the education of this nation’s children. As Americans, we enjoy a wide range of personal choice, and thankfully, it includes our ability to select the pants that fit us best. But when it comes to traditional public education, for decades the public school system has offered a one-size-fits-all approach to educating this country’s youth. Sensing a need for change, many people began to push for new educational models that would keep up with the times, producing the start of the school choice movement in America. Two popular types of school choices are charter schools and school vouchers. Charter schools are publicly-funded institutions that have been freed from inefficient public school system rules and regulations while school voucher programs are certificates that are used to pay for education at a school of the parent’s choice. The ability for parents to choose an education path that is best for their children is an exciting opportunity currently revolutionizing public education, which should be available to all American children, not just a select few.
Considering the importance of public education, it’s understandable that many people would be hesitant to make changes to the system. Those opposed to school choice site concerns that public schools would be traded in for profit based education corporations that care more for financial profit than the individual education of students. Others site concern for what appears to be government sponsorship of private religious schools through the funding provided by various school voucher programs. Those against choice should be commended for demonstrating a committed concern for the
Ms. Smith
English 1101
2 July 2012
School Choice: An Educational Custom Fit
It is difficult for many people to imagine if only one size of pants were sold in stores, and government regulations prevent any other size to be made available to consumers. This scenario may sound crazy, but it is much like what happens with the education of this nation’s children. As Americans, we enjoy a wide range of personal choice, and thankfully, it includes our ability to select the pants that fit us best. But when it comes to traditional public education, for decades the public school system has offered a one-size-fits-all approach to educating this country’s youth. Sensing a need for change, many people began to push for new educational models that would keep up with the times, producing the start of the school choice movement in America. Two popular types of school choices are charter schools and school vouchers. Charter schools are publicly-funded institutions that have been freed from inefficient public school system rules and regulations while school voucher programs are certificates that are used to pay for education at a school of the parent’s choice. The ability for parents to choose an education path that is best for their children is an exciting opportunity currently revolutionizing public education, which should be available to all American children, not just a select few.
Considering the importance of public education, it’s understandable that many people would be hesitant to make changes to the system. Those opposed to school choice site concerns that public schools would be traded in for profit based education corporations that care more for financial profit than the individual education of students. Others site concern for what appears to be government sponsorship of private religious schools through the funding provided by various school voucher programs. Those against choice should be commended for demonstrating a committed concern for the