Thread by @DeAngelisCorey

fund students not systems

"Dollars following a child to another provider could leave public schools with fewer funds.

But that's not siphoning. It's connecting the money to the people it is most supposed to serve — children — & the funds only leave if a family has found an education provider it prefers"

"A family taking money for their child’s education from a public to a private school no more siphons dollars from a public school than choosing to go to Price Chopper siphons from Hy-Vee."

"Pell Grants similarly do not “siphon” money from community colleges just because they can be used at private universities chosen by students.

Education funding should not belong to any particular institution. It is meant for educating children."

"Since only state funding would follow a child, a lot of money would stay with the public school, increasing resources for each child remaining in the public school."

"With Iowa spending an estimated $14,264 per public-school student a $5,200 savings account deposit would leave money behind"

"Imagine if Hy-Vee were able to keep most of your grocery budget after you started shopping at your preferred Price Chopper.

That would be a fantastic deal for Hy-Vee.

The public schools similarly get to keep large sums of money for children they are no longer educating."

"Perhaps public schools’ improvements have to do with competition — as schools have to up their game when someone else could get their funding.

26 of 28 studies on the topic find that school choice leads to better outcomes for children who remain in public schools."

"Let’s be clear: Anti-choice myths disproportionately prevent the least advantaged from having educational options.

The most advantaged families already have school choice.

They can afford to live in neighborhoods that are residentially assigned to the best public schools."

"The most advantaged can already afford to pay out of pocket for the costs of private education.

Funding students directly allows more families to access educational alternatives.

School choice is an equalizer."

"Ultimately, the need for choice is simple: It is unfair to have a child’s ZIP code determine their future.

Iowa should fund students, not institutions."
desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/…