Understanding “School Choice,” the options, the conflict

The debate over school choice and its impact on the public school system has been around for years.  However, the Trump administration added new friction to this already prickly subject with the president's choice for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, a clear supporter of school choice, as well as his 2018 Budget proposal.

The America First budget hits public education hard with more than $9 billion in cuts, and it bolsters school choice programs with an increase of $1.4 billion.

Dr. Dan Domenech is a nationally recognized advocate for public schools, "The bottom-line here is that public schools, public education, isn't getting the resources that it needs.  You know the majority of school districts around America today in 2017 are operating with a budget that's lower than it was in 2008…that was nine years ago."

Michael Chartier is the Director of State Engagement for advocacy group EdChoice, "When we give parents choices, and we give parents options about where to educate their children.  The parents are happier and the children are happier. Because, by definition, they've bought into something."

The three main education options out there today are Public School, Charter School and Private School.

Public school, supported by public funds, is obligated to educate any and all children that live within a district unless parents choose otherwise. Federal, state, and local governments share in the fiscal responsibility. Because of that investment, all levels of government have a say in how public schools are regulated. 

Charter schools are established by private entities; teachers, parents, or community groups; that enter into a charter, or agreement, with local and state authorities to create a school. They are also publicly funded and their money is based on enrollment numbers. But their per pupil percentage is often less than their public school counterparts.

They are accountable for academic results and for upholding the promises made in their charters. Their major selling point is that the system is free from much of the "red tape" that sometimes hinders, public schools.  But they also have to keep up financial management and organizational stability or else they can be closed.

Private Schools are funded primarily by either tuition or scholarships, and they are generally exempt from most educational regulations at the Federal level but do adhere to state rules.  Depending on if there is state legislation that allows it, private school choice voucher programs give parents the opportunity to take the money set aside for a child's public school education, to use in a private school of their choice.

President Trump's budget blueprint shows he is following through on his campaign promise to expand school choice.

According to the document, in the 2018-2019 school year, charter schools are looking at a federal spending increase of $168 million. Private schools could benefit from a $250 million federal investment to fund a new private school voucher program.

"Basically, in a nutshell," explains Chartier, "School Choice is taking the money that's been set aside for your child's education and giving it to you in one form or another, so that you can choose the best learning environment that's right for your child."

But Dr. Domenech tells 47 ABC an investment in school choice will be a drain on a system already looking at severe budget cuts, "The reality is that 90 percent of the students in America attend public school. 90 percent. So that's where the focus should be.  On public schools. If parents want to send their children to a private school..they do. They have the choice that choice already.  But to take public dollars now to pay for that tuition.  That we have a problem with."

Perhaps one of the most controversial parts of the Presidents 2018 education funding proposal is what it says about the Title 1 program.

In part four of 47 ABC's Special Report: State of Education, there are details on that proposed Title 1 funding increase, as well as a closer look at the debate between public school and school choice.