Tag Archives: President Obama

State of the State and State of the Union: What about the State of Education?

School Choice Ohio is pleased to introduce intern Marjorie Yano. Marjorie is a third-year law student at The Ohio State University.

Last week, we heard Governor Strickland deliver the State of the State address (full text here) and President Obama present the State of the Union (full text here). In both addresses our government leaders reflected on the challenges of 2009 and the promises of 2010. Both men acknowledged the importance of education, but lacked an emphasis on education reform and school choice as an important tool to move the state and country out of the current economic recession and into a brighter future.

The State of the State address given by Governor Strickland, was hopeful for Ohio’s future, but not surprisingly lacked any talk of support for increased school choice or further education reform. As we posted on Twitter during our live blog of the speech: “We still have a long way to go toward quality education in Ohio. Not hearing much in terms of new education proposals.”

Whether it’s establishing Ohio at the forefront of the clean energy revolution, revitalizing our manufacturing and small business sectors, or reinvigorating our cities as centers of commerce (all initiatives mentioned by the Governor), Ohio must continue to support and improve its education systems. The Governor recognized the importance of education improvement and recognized accomplishments in Ohio over the past year, but the Governor’s address lacked much mention of the future of Ohio’s schools – or the possibility of expanded school choice options for Ohio’s families.

Last week marked the deadline for submissions for our annual School Choice Essay Contest. Ohio families wrote in to share about lives that have been changed through school choice. They are tales of transformation and of students who, thanks to the opportunities afforded through the EdChoice and Autism Scholarship programs, are now on their way to a happy and successful future.

If Ohio is to continue to move towards a productive future and better educational system, we cannot rest on our laurels – and school choice must be part of the next stage of discussions and plans.

As for President Obama’s State of the Union, the future of education policy was discussed in more specific terms. Although much of his speech reflected on the struggling economy, stalled health care reform, and continuing national security concerns, the President was optimistic about the future of the country, closing his address by stating that “The spirit that has sustained this nation for more than two centuries lives on in you, its people. We have finished a difficult year. … Let’s seize this moment – to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.”

In reaching this brighter tomorrow, the President specifically mentioned the need to “invest in the skills and education of our people” and that “the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education.” Making brief mention of K-12 education (but no specific mention of school choice), President Obama noted the upcoming renewal and reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB) – and encouraged nation-wide adoption of educational reforms in the coming year. We hope the school choice elements of NCLB, now elusive for parents, will be strengthened and improved.

Although neither the Governor nor the President focused on the challenges facing education in America, I hope the mere mention of the need for education reform will spark debate in our legislatures, with an understanding that school choice provides paths for children to learn, grow, and become the driving force in the rebuilding of our country.

- Majorie Yano

STEM Education already active in Ohio

Parents Rally in DC For Their Children

1 Reply

Parents leave a lasting impression on children. Everything that we do leaves a mark on their little minds and their little souls. They know that we love them in great and small ways; with spoken and unspoken words. Children know that as parents we will go out of our way to protect them from all harm and that protection assumes various forms.

Those parents that rallied in D.C. yesterday to save the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program have left a lasting impression upon their children about how far they are willing to go to ensure that their children receive the best education available. What is amazing is how the Obama administration continues to completely ignore these parents, that by all accounts he continually asks to become “actively engaged” in their child’s education. They have, they are and their decisions should be honored. The program should be reauthorized.

The D.C. public school system has long been an embattled system of underperforming and failing schools. Since 2004, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program has provided 3,300 low income students the ability to attend the private school of their parents’ choice and as far as parents are concerned the program has helped their children to succeed academically. Furthermore, a report released by the U.S. Department of Education confirmed parents’ beliefs of academic gain.

Why then would the government actively seek to end a program that does not leave children behind and helps to bridge the ever widening achievement gap? Why ignore parents who are actively involved in their child’s education? Why put the educational future of these children at risk?

If we are to actually put children first, then all avenues that lead to academic achievement must be made available. Why is it that the discussion of where a child is educated becomes less about the child and more about maintaining the status quo? The idea that only one system can educate a child is a false one. Parents know this and this is why they rallied by the thousands yesterday. Parents want, need and should have school choice.

Tisha P. Brady

Access to Educational Opportunities

1 Reply

Accountability, standardized testing, measures, scores, education reform, “Race to the Top”… ask a child what these mean and you’ll probably get the same blank stare and confused “What?” that my son gave me.

Often in educational discourse, we talk incessantly about the student, around the student, and at the student. We talk to the teachers, to the school boards, to the community, to the parent sometimes, but it is a rare moment when someone speaks directly to the children.

Amidst much fuel and fury, President Obama delivered what actually turned out to be a not so controversial back to school speech. He spoke of the need for studying hard, setting goals, accepting personal responsibility, and getting “serious this year”. Back to school themes that many students are familiar with and yet this time it was different. It was personal.

As much as the conversation was about a child’s personal responsibility to obtain an education, it was far more. It was a conversation that sought to nurture the soul of children. It was a conversation of hope, self belief and the ever eternal quest of self-realization.

He talked to them about finding and developing their talent and overcoming overwhelming obstacles. Unlike many previous presidents, he has firsthand knowledge of poverty, single parenting, lack of focus in school, working hard and grabbing at second and third chances to turn your life around.

Although he stated, “Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future,” unfortunately for many students where they are right now will determine where they end up. Their futures have already been predetermined by virtue of living in areas where the schools are failing, are often in economically depressed areas and the access to opportunities are near nigh impossible.

These children are in desperate need of options now. Although the president’s “Race to the Top” is headed in the right direction, by encouraging innovative schools, quality charter schools and the promotion of merit pay, it does not go far enough. For these children all options must be made available and that means vouchers have to be a part of the solution. To deny a child a scholarship that will help to nurture his abilities, is to deny that child his future. For these children no stone should be unturned and no opportunity should be denied.

In order for President Obama to call upon students to “… set your own goals for your education — and do everything you can to meet them,”he must provide children every and all opportunities to do so. If we are to nurture and encourage children to find their dreams through education, they must first have access to all educational opportunities. Only then can they become a great writer or the next inventor or the next politician. Only then will they be able to fulfill their goals.

Tisha Brady

WSJ on Obama’s “Race to the Top”

School Choice Ohio Blog

Updated News and Stories about School Choice in Ohio