OPINION

Charter schools could benefit KY kids – if done right

Enquirer editorial board

School choice is one of the most controversial and debated topics in education today. Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin has made it clear that since Republicans have majorities in both the state House and Senate, conservative issues such as school choice, long stalled in the legislature, will now at least get voted on. Kentucky is one of only eight states that have not yet passed a charter school law, and it provides no financial assistance such as school vouchers or scholarship tax credits to parents who pursue private school options for their children.

This editorial board believes that school choice in and of itself is not a bad thing, but it needs to be done in the right way. Some states have implemented school choice very successfully. However, Ohio’s experience is a cautionary tale about what can happen when transparency and accountability aren’t mandated. If Kentucky can mirror the best practices of other states, we would like to see parents have more alternatives and opportunities for children to learn in environments that increase their chances of success.

The Kentucky General Assembly is considering several measures that would bring school choice to the commonwealth.

Northern Kentucky businessmen Ralph Drees and Bill Butler offer their views on one school choice measure currently being considered in the General Assembly, and Stephanie Winkler, president of the Kentucky Education Association, writes about teachers' concerns with charter schools.