It will shed some positive light on the school system. But don't let their first-hand experience stop after the assembly in the gym. Take your legislators on a classroom tour. Elected officials who clamor for choice don't know the half of it. In many school communities, families can pick a school building other than the one to which their child is assigned.
Magnets offer program choices such as arts, a science and technology focus, and foreign languages.
On the secondary school level, you have International Baccalaureate, advanced placement courses, auto mechanics or machine shop training. A nephew of mine, who learned welding at his high school, now works successfully at the trade to which he was attracted. More than Public Schools. Many state legislators want nothing to do with equalization because they see it as taking funds away from some of their own high-tax revenue districts. Somehow, every one of those who badmouth the efforts of public school leaders wants the local taxpayer to think the answer is to test kids again and again.