On Tuesday, March 12, the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education convened a hearing titled “Education Without Limits: Exploring the Benefits of School Choice.” Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) expressed concern over the declining math and reading scores highlighted in the National Assessment of Educational Progress “despite increased spending.” He advocated for school choice as a means to enhance the education system, emphasizing charter schools and private school vouchers as viable options for federal support. Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) supported public school choice (e.g., charter schools) but opposed the use of federal funds for private mechanisms such as vouchers, arguing that public schools cater to all children regardless of their background or income. She stressed the importance of safeguarding public education funding from “voucher scams” that divert taxpayer money to private institutions. The hearing featured witnesses who primarily discussed private school vouchers, leading to a contentious partisan debate that heavily featured a back-and-forth regarding how both sides view educational access as it relates to students with disabilities and low-income children. COPAA is closely monitoring the school choice debate and does not support the use of public federal education funds for federal school choice programs.
WH Issues Executive Order to Close the Department of Education
Last Thursday, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) to begin closing the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Characterized as a State’s responsibility, the intention is to return the Department’s main function back to the States for management. Moreover,...
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