Editor’s note: This is the third in a series about school choice written by longtime educator Jerel Wade.
My wife and I have three children, and each one is unique. They have their own personalities, talents, interests and motivations. They also learn in different ways and at their own pace.
Children are different. That is why it is important that parents have a choice of different educational settings. Public schools fulfill a vital role in our community, attempting to serve all students as best they can. But, private schools and home-school groups have the ability to tailor their standards and teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and needs.
We have good public schools in our area. They have mastered the government-approved standards, learned how to prepare students for standards-based assessments and work hard to teach all students regardless of their background or ability. But often, teaching methods are designed around these standards and testing to achieve the desired outcome. This may work fine for most students, but not for all.
Private schools, on the other hand, often design their own curriculum and teaching methods to tailor the educational environment to a particular set of students. They have the freedom to take unique approaches to teaching and learning, whether it’s focusing on college preparation, emphasizing faith and values, or specializing in areas like science, technology, arts or classical studies. Home-school groups often tailor their learning opportunities around shared experiences.
Class size is one big difference in our local school options. Private schools tend to have fewer students per grade and a lower student-to-teacher ratio. For some, this leads to better attention by the student, fewer distractions, and more individualized attention from the teacher. This could be just what is needed for some students to thrive.
One argument made by those against school choice is that private schools are not held to the same standards as public schools. And, they would be correct. Private schools and home schoolers do not have the same teaching methods and assessments at each grade level or end-of-course. But many private schools go through a rigorous regional accreditation process that ensures they adhere to quality educational norms and provide a positive educational environment.
For accountability, there are comparable trends that show the various approaches to teaching and learning lead to an overall quality education, despite the differences — ACT scores for college entrance and Work Keys assessments for entry into the workforce, to name a few. Ultimately, parents hold the keys to accountability by the choices they make for their children.
It is easy to say that parents have school choice now. But for many, the economic barriers are too high for parents to choose a school other than the one in the area in which they live. Whether through Education Savings Accounts, vouchers, tax credits or some other financial means, all children should be given the same access and opportunities for success as chosen by their parents.
As a society we have determined that it is beneficial to educate all children and the government has taken on the primary responsibility of ensuring that happens. But, government run schools cannot be all things to all people. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to education that works for every child.
When we put the individual child first and give parents the means to make the best choice, we see that the right learning environment helps every student — and our whole community — thrive.
Jerel Wade is a career educator and Jones County resident who serves the
students and families of Sylva Bay Academy
