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Letter to the Editor: Missouri Republicans are fighting for school choice

Dear Editor:

We must face the fact that not all Missouri students receive the same quality of education. While some students receive a top-notch education, sadly there remain too many areas across the state where student outcomes continue to decline. For these students, the choice in Missouri is clear. Stick with the status quo and watch another generation of students sink below standards or implement bold reforms to raise the bar.

A great education should be available to all children regardless of family income, not just those living in the “right” zip codes or those in the highest performing schools and districts.  It is clear reforms are needed and school choice is the answer.

Roeber
Roeber

Giving Missouri parents school choice options empowers them to make the best decisions for their children. Right now, bills being considered by members of Missouri’s General Assembly seek to do just that.

The first would allow charter schools to expand outside of St. Louis and Kansas City. Charter schools, which are tuition-free public schools, allow for more flexibility and innovation in the classroom in return for greater accountability.  This common-sense policy has become a significant part of the education landscape as charter schools provide a quality education option for 1 in 20 students nationwide.

The second would allow parents to use funds from an education savings account to pay for their children’s elementary and secondary education.  With education savings accounts, parents could tailor their children’s entire educational experience and choose how to best spend their education dollars on things like tuition, textbooks, online courses, tutoring, or education aides.

Charter schools and education savings accounts would help ensure all students have access to high-quality educational opportunities.

Thankfully, Missouri Republicans are fighting for school choice, even going as far as voicing their support for education savings accounts in the party’s platform. We know school choice can raise the bar for students and help with quality outcomes. That’s why Senator Ted Cruz is actively working to pass education savings account legislation both in his home state of Texas and at the federal level. He knows the importance of a quality education which is why he made school choice a centerpiece of his presidential campaign.

When 38% of Missouri’s college students require remedial courses in basic Math and English to catch up, it is easy to see the status quo isn’t working. In fact, it is utterly unacceptable.

Fed up with our failing policies? Go to SchoolChoiceMO.com and sign our petition to change the way we think about education and learn more about how choice will improve education outcomes in Missouri.

Sincerely,


Rebecca Roeber
Missouri State Representative, District 34