Charter schools: Having a choice in education benefits all

The public and private conversations over the education of our children have always been emotional for parents and school professionals. The confirmation of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos this month will, among other things, shine a brighter light on the already-controversial charter public school world.

It all began with a vision to transform and improve the traditional public school system, a vision that started in 1991 with the Charter School Act in Minnesota and quickly spread to California only a year later. The goal was to re-examine the successes and failures of public education, and seek out new ways to help students learn to critically think and problem solve, communicate effectively, and achieve academically, socially and professionally.

Related: Charter schools: Lack of standards hurts students

The California charter public school movement has flourished, and innovative approaches and new learning models have joined the public school landscape. As a result, parents now enjoy school choice. The movement as a whole has had the political and personal favor of U.S. presidents spanning from Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to Donald Trump. The seed that was planted has taken root and tens of thousands of students are enrolled in charter public schools.

Yet despite growing pressure to open charter public schools in their community, not every school district is welcoming, and not every charter school has a successful operation or student outcome. Just as with traditional school programs, we must sift through the best practices in order to improve all education.

So what will our new secretary of education, Betsy DeVos, add to this ongoing dialogue? I believe her 30-plus years promoting programs and organizations that provide choice for parents will greatly benefit all students whether they are enrolled in traditional, charter or private schools. She knows that not every student learns or retains information the same way and understands that part of the greatness of America is promoting innovation and opportunity for all, especially in school choice. Alternatives in public education serve the greater good. DeVos has become a champion for these parents who desire options in schooling their children.

In DeVos, President Trump selected a parent advocate and leader whose experience comes from a place of valuing education, listening to and working with parents. He chose someone who promotes action for the sake of improving educational opportunities. Hearing that she will be examining, auditing and reviewing all of the programs of the Education Department in an effort to define a core mission is a step in the right direction. “Because really, when it comes down to it, education and the provision of education are really a state and local responsibility to a large extent,” DeVos said last week.

Reading that the San Diego Unified School Board of Trustees rescinded an invitation for DeVos to visit San Diego due to union member pushback reminded me that at the heart of education should be a willingness to learn from one another. If we expect our students to think critically, accept differences and grow through debate and dialogue, then the adults in this situation failed to lead by example. The SDUSD board should have respectfully welcomed DeVos, been willing to have an open dialogue, and looked forward to showing her the many and great successes of SDU schools. DeVos is not an enemy of traditional public schools — merely someone with a different opinion and a valuable voice.

I am hopeful in the coming months that DeVos will expound on the benefits of accountability, the role that it plays in schools and the importance of closing programs that do not connect to quality and success of student learning. We cannot have choice for choice’s sake, but rather in the hope of having public schools for every type of learner. If opponents fail to have healthy discussions, we stifle growth and intellectual understanding of one another.

I have high hopes for Secretary DeVos’ success. For me, her success is grounded in decisions that return power to the local communities. Improving America’s schools will only benefit our students and return us to a standing as a world leader when it comes to providing superior public education. It is most beneficial to students, parents and communities to avoid attacking one public school system over another. The ancient African proverb, “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers” is a perfect analogy.

Curry is executive director of The Classical Academies, an organization of charter schools in north San Diego County.