Colorado has a long, bipartisan history of being a national leader in the school choice movement. Whether it’s charter schools, private schools, home schooling or other non-traditional options, we have long been on the forefront in ensuring educational choice for parents tailored to meet the unique needs of our kids.
Unfortunately, in recent years, choice has been under attack at the State Legislature. While current state law allows for charter schools, home schooling and other school choice options, state law can be changed at any time. Various groups have attempted to use the Legislature to chip away at the educational choice we enjoy in Colorado.
With school choice, parents aren’t forced to send their kids to underperforming local schools; they aren’t forced to send their special needs learner to a one-size-fits-all education setting; and they aren’t forced to send their kids to an unsafe environment if they’ve made the decision at-home or online learning will better prepare that young learner for their next phase of life.
As a proud graduate of a core knowledge public charter school, I can provide a first-hand account of how school choice helps prepare a young person to grow and thrive in their educational journey. I spent the first half of my elementary school years in a typical public school setting – kids roamed “open” classrooms where teachers had no control, I was told my poor handwriting didn’t matter because we had computers. A general lack of accountability led to little learning.
Fast forward to the second half of elementary school and middle school and I thrived under the structure and academic expectations of the public charter school I attended.
The right to school choice changed my life.
While the charter school my parents picked for me was the environment I needed to succeed, it wasn’t for everyone and that’s the beauty of school choice: parents are free to make a choice that is best for their child’s unique situation.
I believe every child in Colorado deserves an education that is tailored to their needs. Our kids deserve a rich, rewarding education that prepares them for adulthood. And that experience looks different for each and every kid. Some kids need schools that push for high academic achievement, while others need schools that teach according to different learning styles to address learning challenges. Other families see less traditional classroom environments as the best place for their kids to thrive.
The important fact is to ensure that families have a wide and diverse set of educational options.
That’s why the voters in Colorado have an important choice on the November ballot.
There is no guarantee that the wide range of options benefiting Colorado kids will always withstand the assault from powerful anti-choice, anti-accountability groups who lobby hard at the State Capitol. Our school choice rights are simple statutes that a majority of lawmakers and a willing governor can weaken or erase anytime they want. But our right to educational freedom is bedrock to the success of future generations, and our economy.
That’s why Initiative 138 is simple but powerful: will we vote to protect the rights we have now by putting them in the State Constitution? It doesn’t cost a dime or create any new programs. It simply removes school choice as a political pin cushion at the Capitol.
We have a choice to ensure future generations of Coloradans have the educational choices they deserve. We have a choice to ensure future generations of Coloradoans live in a state that values educational attainment, opportunity and achievement for all.
Please join me in supporting Initiative 138 and making school choice a Constitutional right in Colorado.
Curtis Gardner is an At-Large Aurora City Councilmember and a board member for Cherry Creek Academy, a K-8 public charter school in Englewood.
The last thing we need is charter schools.
We’re on to you.
School Choice is like, oh, say, car choice. I want to drive any car I choose to and you have to let me.
Fact is, if a parent would like to send their child to the most prestigious school then they ‘might’ need transportation to that school, they might need to pay additional tuition, they ‘might’ need to buy more expensive school supplies….
wouldn’t it be better to ensure ALL schools are equal in their ability to provide education to all our children? Why has that never been so? Money is the reason.
If you have a school that is a ’10’ then find out what they are doing and ensure the other schools have the means to become a ’10’. nough said