Geust Column: Support school choice

When my grandson first went to public school, his school sent him home every day because teachers said they couldn’t control him. After this happened three days in a row, they recommended homeschooling. I’ve been homeschooling my grandchildren for years now because the public schools can’t care for my family in the way they need.

Public school is a one size fits all box for kids—and not all kids are the same. That’s why I believe in school choice. Tax dollars should follow the student, so everyone can get an education that is best for them, even if that’s at home or a private school.

Families of every ethnicity, educational and economic background are exploring home schooling. Most can't afford to escape a system that is systemically failing their children.

The California School Choice Initiative (Educational Freedom Act) would change this. With the act, every student will receive $14,000 to spend on an accredited private or religious school of their choice. While this is the average, many options are less than this, and families would save the extra money for the students to use at college or vocational schools until the student turns 30.

Teachers will benefit from this, too. There will be an increased demand for teachers who migrate to private schools, which will result in better compensation.

I encourage my fellow Californians to please sign the School Choice Initiative petition to bring it to the ballot. Visit https://www.californiaschoolchoice.org/

California School Choice Initiative

Every child deserves a choice of the school they attend—the education they receive. We mean everyone. And that is only possible with “The Educational Freedom Act”

www.californiaschoolchoice.org to download the petition, print it, sign it, and mail it to the state so that we can change our children’s futures for the better.

Sincerely,

Tonya Pearcey

Crescent City, California