A St Patty’s Day Special Edition…Finding Rainbows…Driving out Snakes and a much needed Irish Blessing.
AMERICA CELEBRATES FREEDOM…UNIONS PLOT TO REDUCE IT.
As Americans celebrate 245 years of freedom, two groups working against freedom for millions of school kids and their parents have been holding conventions. We highlight both in this “ease back into the workweek” edition of Newswire.
AMERICA WAS THE MIRACLE many folks didn’t understand or outright hated (British imperialists, for instance) in 1776. Some still do after 245 years. Then there are education imperialists, who oppose freedom for families, even just among innovative public schools. Just take the NEA as one example, which ironically this week debated whether to adopt resolutions which further wrest parental freedoms.
EDUCATION FREEDOM MIRACLE. American ingenuity and our unique ability to find and celebrate the solution for almost everything is contrasted to how some treat the solution of charter school opportunities in this exceptional new video, from Kite & Key Media which they call The Education Miracle Everyone Hates… Actually, it’s not everyone, it’s only a small number of very loud, powerful people and their unassuming followers, but can feel like everyone sometimes.
If you do nothing else today, watch it and share.
PARENTAL FREEDOM will once again be debated at the US Supreme Court (another uniquely American entity that remains largely hated and misunderstood). The independent judiciary need not worry about political winds, and thankfully the teachers unions can’t touch them, which is why Maine families will get a fair hearing in their quest to be given the freedom to choose a religious school as their choice option. At issue is a Maine law that provides tuition assistance to families – but only if they choose a non-religious school. That kind of discriminatory activity – originating with 19th century “Blaine amendments,” was found unconstitutional just a year ago. As IJ argues, “Despite that ruling, in October 2020 the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a religious exclusion in Maine’s tuition assistance program for high school students.” Justices will debate the issue this fall and issue their ruling next spring. Stay tuned.
WHY IS IT VITAL? Well for one, consider the Oregon students who would no longer have to prove they can do basic reading, writing and math to graduate under a new proposal. Parents must have the power to free their kids from this kind of insanity. Sadly, education standards are not the only area where Oregon falls down. It receives failing grades from both the Parent Power Index and the National Charter School Law Rankings.
LET FREEDOM RING. Freedom is powerful and happily has made great strides in over a dozen states this past year, with no signs of abating any time soon. ED Week noticed that the pandemic helped fuel choice this year. The Wall Street Journal opined that freedom is marching on in states, and the New Yorker highlighted the rise of black homeschooling, another exercise of power by parents.GRATEFUL FOR IT. Thanks to brave men and women 245 years ago, and those who protected it throughout our history, freedom is something Americans can still celebrate. We may be imperfect (hence the intentional “toward a more perfect union” language in the Declaration) but it’s glorious nonetheless when it works. Let’s make it work together. Forgive the schmalz, but we still get teary listening to Lee Greenwood sing God Bless the USA. Try it – you might like it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrMftm6Km3g
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education. We’re always delighted to hear from our readers…suggestions, questions and even the occasional complaint!