Thread by @brian_lenney

Here's what to expect in the upcoming #idleg education policy debates. As I outline my predictions and share some personal anecdotes, please bear with me for a moment. Without further delay, let me delve into the specifics...#idpol #idedu
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I've noticed a number of promising bills that promote education freedom through the use of Education Savings Accounts (ESA). AZ, WV, and FL have all implemented successful school choice models. Ultimately, it's about empowering PARENTS with more control over their child's edu.
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Beware! The educational elites, special interest groups, and media will fiercely oppose anyone who wants to give parents more freedom in education and allow children to escape failing government schools. In fact, the attacks are already underway.
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They'll continue to spread two false narratives: (1) "School choice drains funding from public schools" and (2) "Public funds can’t be spent at private and/or religious schools." Both of these claims are untrue and serve to keep children trapped in a failing education system.
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#1: Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), a form of school choice, aren't meant to deprive public schools of funding. They're designed to give parents the funds and freedom to educate their children in the way that best fits their needs.
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And for a lot of parents, that may include enrolling or keeping them in a public school if desired. If a parent wants to keep their child in a public school, they are still able to do so. The decision is entirely up to them!
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#2: Yes, public funds CAN be used for private and/or religious schools. On June 30, 2020, the Supreme Court reinforced the constitutional prohibition on discrimination based on religion in the case of Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue.
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The Court ruled that a Montana law that prohibited state-sponsored scholarship funds from being used at religious schools was unconstitutional.
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This decision dealt a significant blow to so-called "Blaine amendments" in many state constitutions, which deny any state funds to religious institutions.
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As a result of the Court's ruling in Espinoza, states are no longer able to prevent families who send their children to religious schools from participating in school choice programs…
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…this was the restriction that the Montana no-aid provision imposed, and it is a key function of Blaine amendments. This case is not only a victory for families who want a religious education for their children, but it is also a significant victory for religious freedom.
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Contrary to the argument that public funds cannot be used for private institutions, it's worth noting that we already DO use them in the form of Pell Grants, GI Bill, Pre-K, Head Start, and so on.
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In reality, the increasing popularity of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and school choice levels the playing field, introduces competition to education, and improves all schools everywhere.
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When the money follows the student (instead of funding an unaccountable government system), parents can spend the money on things like private school, religious, charter, homeschool, or public schools– regardless of economic or social standing.
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This is about what parents want for their children, not what the state of Idaho wants for them. That's why there are smear campaigns happening all over the state.
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When parents have the power to use their funds (which are renewed annually) on tuition and fees, online learning programs, private tutoring, community college, supplies, books, learning materials, or higher education, the student's interests come first, not the state's.
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Some argue that school choice and ESAs go against the Idaho Constitution, which states that "it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools." But they're wrong.
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Because the current edu system is in crisis, with significant disparities in funding and outcomes, and it's far from being uniform or thorough.
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Instead, it is failing our children and violating the Idaho legislature's Constitutional duty to provide a "general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools." This is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed immediately."
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In my opinion, it's not a sustainable or desirable solution to keep pouring resources into the flawed system of government education.
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What's more, I don't want our children to be part of an indoctrination experiment masquerading as "education" that produces globalist worker bees for The Great Reset. The stakes are simply too high. It's time to empower parents to take control.
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For more on school choice myths see this: federationforchildren.org/school-choice-… #idpol #idleg #idedu