The topic of school choice is important to me because parents have the choice to bring their child to our charter school. At IDEA Public Schools, students come from public schools to learn about our school and receive the instruction that we provide. We aim to accept a maximum of 120 students in each grade level. This amount also helps with the funding we receive from the state. 

Best Practices around School Choice

·         Regardless of choice, administrators and school officials should embrace school choice and support each other since the students should receive quality instruction according to what works for them.

·         There should be more choices for students to give them opportunities regardless of income. 

·         Politicians are getting involved when the focus has left the students out of sight. We need to think about what is best for our students. 

An emerging issue with school choice deals with the funding that comes with the students. Some public schools argue that they are losing their students to charter schools in the area. I can see how this is upsetting for them, however, the same can happen to use too. Expanding school choice in the United States would mean that schools would be working twice as hard to keep their students.  

(Sylvia Mejia, Principal, IDEA Weslaco Academy)

 

Holloway, J. H. (n.d.). Research Link / School Choice and Lessons Learned. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec00/vol58/num04/-School-Choice-and-Lessons-Learned.aspx.