STATEMENT FROM FOUNDER & CEO JEANNE ALLEN ON THE PRESIDENT’S NEW PANDEMIC PLAN
WASHINGTON, D.C.– The president’s references to new measures to protect students, schools and their staff overlook a fundamental element: the family. Ways to keep kids safe should not be limited to mask mandates and other standard safety precautions. Given the freedom to do so, parents may choose to put their kids in micro schools, pandemic pods, virtual learning environments, innovative public school programs and a myriad of other options.
Many parents who have exercised a choice for their child have seen more success in both their student’s achievement and in their safety than among similar but better-funded schools. For example, in Washington, D.C, many charter schools choose to require and provide COVID testing for students weekly, while the District of Columbia Public Schools conducts randomized testing.
The Biden plan to make further funds available to schools without consideration for their success or ability to deliver education when kids most needed it is misguided. Currently, tens of billions of dollars allocated to states precisely to help improve both learning and safety have gone unspent. The primary concern of any policymaker should be not only whether students are in an environment where they’ll be safe, but also be well supported and taught.
We applaud any school, organization or state that has worked to mitigate infections. At the same time we must recognize that decisions on where a child is educated should rest with the family, and with school leadership for how the schools operate. That’s what the president should be supporting with his authority and resources.
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.