It is widely understood that when education develops, so does the nation. Never has that been more true than in our nation's capitol building today, where changes in the school system reversed a citywide trend of failure. Hundreds of families left the traditional public school system, which they viewed as woefully inadequate and inefficient, and joined the newly revitalized public charter school system.
During my time in the U.S. Senate, I took steps to ensure the opening and expansion of high-performing public charter schools in Washington, D.C. and communities across the country.
My hometown of New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The charter school model has become a lifeline for neighborhoods and families to rebuild and promise a brighter economic future for everyone. We learned that educational choice and parental choice can be empowering, especially for families who lack the financial ability to do so in traditional models.
I was recently disturbed to learn that leaders in Washington, D.C., wanted to limit students' opportunities to attend public charter schools, citing “public impact assessment” issues. The suggestion that the Charter should not first follow the needs of the child or the wishes of the parents, but instead follow a cross-cutting body to assess its 'community impact', is, in my opinion, It's disrespectful to people's parents. The District of Columbia chose public charters, which are best for families.
Moreover, the priority of “adjusting registration patterns” sounds out of touch with the fact that many families vote with their feet. They get into good schools and leave low-performing schools. Every community, including school districts, should invest time and money in expanding and replicating high-performing public schools with long waiting lists, rather than replacing failing schools.
Middle school is a pivotal time in a student's life. If students do not master advanced mathematics or are not proficient readers, they are less likely to graduate high school and attend college.
Furthermore, the Charter's impact on local communities is clear. They add vibrancy to the city and are chosen by families for their high quality. City government's efforts and direction should be to find ways to reach more communities that have not yet had the opportunity to fully choose public schools.
Rather than jeopardize the exciting progress that has been made in D.C. over the past two decades, we will expand and devote more resources to what is working and educating children of all backgrounds and racial groups. We need to find ways to support schools that are working hard to
As I shared in my last speech on the Senate floor, “What breaks my heart is walking into a school…and seeing children's eyes completely dull… It breaks my heart because I know that it not only limits their lives, but it also limits the lives of people's potential for our country. ”
Thank you to all the teachers and school administrators. Provide a school system that rewards success and truly supports students who need to go the extra mile. Our leaders should focus on supporting great schools, whether traditional or charter, that serve the students and families who want them to receive a great education. .
Support for public charter schools has had broad bipartisan support in Congress for years. This support continues in most states and communities. After years of visionary D.C. mayors who made education reform a priority, I remain a standard bearer for public education where today's leaders put the needs of students first, not the needs of the bureaucracy. I hope so.
It is unfortunate that some people are putting institutions and bureaucracy ahead of the interests of children and families. I urge Congress to take a hard look at current efforts that could undermine the School Reform Act of 1995.
As I left Congress, I said we must continue to fight for a good education for all children, regardless of their family's means or status. I support all schools striving toward that goal. Let's continue this effort.
Mary Landrieu is a former U.S. senator from Louisiana.
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