Improving public education doesn't require throwing more money at the problem. Instead, we need to reform the current system from within. Because of a state mandate, one of the ways the new school board is hoping to improve the Manatee County School System is by presenting a plan to provide school choice. School choice is a simple idea. Where your child goes to school is a personal and intimate decision.
Parents know best what interests, talents, and special needs their children have.
Better than any administrator or politician, parents can tell whether their own children are really challenged and learning in the classroom. Empowering parents to make this decision will fundamentally change the dynamics of our school system as schools will have to be more accountable to parents. As a former college basketball coach, I have seen how healthy competition can motivate people to become their very best. That's why I think that the limited competition that will result from school choice will further challenge school administrators and teachers. Additionally, examining the request list of student choices will help the school board identify equity problems that may exist among our schools and allow us to fix them.