This week in school choice: Five simple truths

This week was National Charter Schools Week, and we were reminded of a few simple truths about school choice.

1. People want options.
2. In those options, they see greater opportunity for their kids.
3. There are those who want to deny them those options.
4. To choose among those options, parents need good information.
5. Our current systems for providing that information, and using it to hold schools accountable, haven't always kept up with changes in education and technology.

Meanwhile...

Detroit may convert its school district to a portfolio model. Illinois families support charter schools. A growing chain of tech-driven microschools gets $100 million in VC cash. Charter schools in South Florida have grown rapidly, but waiting lists remain. School choice in Ohio has moved from vouchers to charters. Why? Children around the country lack a clear path out of poverty.

Quote of the week:

“The idea here is to get as many kids in high quality schools as possible ... That’s the end goal for everyone, isn’t it?" - Robbyn Wahby, head of the Missouri charter school commission, on a student transfer policy in struggling districts around St. Louis.

Our end goal is to give you reliable information about the state of school choice. You can help us by dropping a line at tpillow(at)sufs(dot)org.