September 13, 2024
The Choice: Parental School Choice
By: Christy Zito, Candidate for Idaho Senate, District 8
My experience as an educator began with my children. I was fully engaged in my children’s and grandchildren’s education as they attended public school and outside the traditional classroom. I homeschooled my youngest.
I became involved in my children’s public education as a room mother, PTA member, and PTA president at the Middle School. I was elected to serve as a school board member in 2007. I became involved on the school board as community members felt I would have something to offer; even more, I could see a cultural change in our schools that I found disturbing.
The Heritage Foundation evaluation places Idaho 11th for education freedom. The legislature has failed to support education choice in our state.
In Idaho, traditional schools, charter schools, and, in some cases, online options all receive taxpayer $$$.
Since 2020, general state funding for K-12 public schools has increased by over 56%, far exceeding the increase in population. Despite the massive increase in funding, some schools have had enrollment decreases and closures.
Children in Idaho Schools 3rd to 8th and 11th grades take the Idaho Standard Achievement Test (ISAT). The most recent testing revealed that the average English Language Arts (ELA) score was 53.3%, the math average was 42.2%, and science was 41.2% on the proficiency scale.
These test scores prove we have a lot of work to do in Idaho. Scoring a D or lower on these basic skills metrics is a troubling sign that throwing millions of dollars more each year is not solving the problem; there is something deeper and more troubling happening in our school system.
For example, while New York spends roughly $33,440.00 per student, Idaho spends roughly $9,390.00 per student. The test scores of New York students were roughly equal to Idaho’s, showing that money is not the answer to this challenge.
A one-size-fits-all approach does not work in education and never has. In Idaho, our children deserve to have us expand our choices in education, ensuring that each child’s individual needs can be met. In my travels around my legislative district, I find agreement on all sides of the political arena that the children’s individual needs are not being met. The herd mentality of educating our most precious citizens is failing.
Grants for short-term programs and the unnecessary involvement of federal agencies, Nongovernment organizations, and unions are robbing our children and our teachers of precious time to learn the basics. The recent terrorist-like incident that closed schools proved to many that our children didn’t spend that much time learning the fundamental tools to be successful.
Historically, two options have been proposed to move Idaho to a more competitive personalized education system: Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and a tax credit.
Generally, through an ESA, if a child did not enroll in a traditional public school, their family could apply for an ESA, allowing the money to follow the student to the educational system that is best for them, not best for the government education system.
If a student didn’t attend a traditional school during the tax year, their family could apply for a tax credit when they file to help pay for education expenses.
Some will say that moving to parental choice for children’s education will destroy the public education system. I strongly disagree with that sentiment. Competition drives us to improve, but being the only game in town creates mediocrity. I believe this is the problem with the school system today and the loss of local control through government programs that promise “funding” and strings that are not beneficial to the children.
Greater education choices are needed for our children in Idaho. We have much work to do to ensure that ALL children have access to an education that will best prepare them for success.
Editor’s Note: Christy Zito is a former ID State Senator and is currently a candidate for the ID Senate. To learn more about her and her campaign, visit: Christy Zito for Idaho Senate
