Vouchers empower parents

There are no comments for this page [ Add Comment ]

We are now presented with an opportunity to literally change the nation. All eyes are upon us as we prepare for the November elections, which will include our state's vote on a referendum concerning school vouchers. It would be difficult to overstate the importance of this vote. All of the citizens of this state need to understand the nature of the stakes in this vote.

As we recently highlighted in the debate between presidential candidates Romney and Obama, who were arguing the merits of sex education for kindergarten students, the curriculum in public schools has become highly politicized. Courts in California, Massachusetts, Maryland and other states have recently ruled in favor of the school system in determining the content of curriculum as the rights of parents are being weakened and undermined. Recent Supreme Court decisions remind us of the encroachment of government into almost every issue in our public school system, such as busing, racial integration, wearing of religious symbols, moments of silence, funding levels, etc. All of these decisions have slowly but surely taken control of our children's education away from parents.

We now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to send a very strong and unmistakable message that we believe ultimately in parental control of education. Utah's voucher program, as presently passed into law, constitutes the only universal voucher available for all citizens. This represents a powerful message to the entire country. It truly empowers parents to decide the course of their children's education. It is means-tested, so it helps those of low income the most.

It acts as a relief valve, so to speak, for parents who cannot find the solution for their children in the public system. It sends a message to the National Education Association, the Utah Education Association, the State Board of Education and any others who want to diminish the influence of parents, that if the system is not responsive to parents, they can leave and go elsewhere.

Utah's voucher program is not anti-teacher. It is pro-parent. It will not damage the public school system. It will simply give parents more choices.

The late Nobel Prize winning economist Milton Friedman, speaking on school choice, said, "Empowering parents would generate a competitive education market, which would lead to a burst of innovation and improvement, as competition has done in so many other areas. There's nothing that would do so much to ensure a skilled and educated work force."

This vote on vouchers has the potential to profoundly change and improve education for the entire country as vouchers represent the ultimate empowerment of parents. I urge all concerned parents to get involved and show strong support for the Utah voucher law.

Jenkins is a state senator representing the 20th District. He lives in Plain City.

Comments

Add a comment...

Name:
Comment:
Security Code:	Type the characters to the left in the box exactly as they appear.
Your IP:	38.103.63.60 This address is recorded for security purposes.