Issue Position: School Choice

Issue Position

A recent Chicago Urban League report stated that we need "a market for educational innovations." Parents, teachers, and students easily admit that our current educational system is not working. Unfortunately, many blame the failures of public education on money alone, yet there are schools that receive fewer dollars than Chicago Public School students and still out perform them. So the answer is not just more money.

The answer is competition. When the top 25 Chicago area communities with the highest concentrations of students performing at least 2 years behind grade level are concentrated in low-income communities, it becomes apparent that parents need more choices.

According to School Choice Illinois, "School choice has proven to lead to the increase in graduation rates, the decrease in dropout rates, an increase in school enrollment, more accountable school districts, and an increase in real spending per pupil." Additionally, a University of Arkansas study on the effects of the DC Voucher Program determined, "the evidence tends to support the theory that public schools improve their performance in response to expanded choice and competition."

This is why Isaac Hayes supports educational competition in at least two areas:
Charter Schools

Charter Schools offer a viable alternative to the traditional public schools our children have historically attended. Already, Charter Schools like North Kenwood-Oakland, Perspectives, and Chicago International North have outperformed neighboring schools. Parents' enthusiasm for such alternatives is clear from long waiting lists and proven increased parental involvement. The cap on Charter Schools must be lifted, and barriers that prevent kids from attending schools outside of their district removed.
School Vouchers

School vouchers open the door of possibility for our children to attend better and more racially integrated schools. Our legislators overwhelmingly send their children to private schools in DC because they can afford to. Even our current president enrolled his two daughters in private school. Unfortunately, the communities that are experiencing poor academic performance cannot afford to pay for alternative schools. School vouchers and tax credits can help to offset that disparity.

As Congressman, Isaac Hayes will make sure our school system provides every student with a quality education. He joins President Barack Obama's goal of having the world's highest rate of college graduates by 2020. This can be accomplished through educational competition.

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