Look at the facts, not the hysteria, on school choice
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.” Former U.S. Sen. Daniel
Patrick Moynihan wrote those words in The Washington Post in 1983, and Dan
Conaway should be mindful of them now, 40 years later.
Conaway’s recent column, “Gov. Lee wants you to pay tuition at MUS and Hutchison,” is
a gaslighting, hysterical word-salad that mocks parents at a time when Tennesseans are
thoughtfully considering issues being debated at the Tennessee General Assembly.
Because Mr. Conaway doesn’t take the issue seriously, he fails to take the needs of
students seriously.
Conaway all but accuses some parents, many of whom are simply desperate to get their
child out of a perpetually failing school, of future criminal behavior by committing
fraud. This is a common tactic among those opposed to school choice: come up with
increasingly fantastical and hysterical hypotheticals accusing parents, independent
school leaders and supporters of school choice of fraud and criminal behavior and
misrepresent the program to the public.
One wonders why Conaway was silent earlier this month when a Collierville school
board member resigned after being charged with shoplifting multiple times from Target.
Perhaps it’s that he has a genuine affinity for the public school system — which, by the
way, has received regular funding increases, including a promise by Gov. Lee to raise
teacher salaries.
He’s not alone in his admiration for public schools. I had a positive experience in public
schools. I don’t, however, find it impossible to believe that the same school that worked
for me — or now, for my children — isn’t the best fit for every other child in my
community. Most parents appreciate this nuance, and I’m betting they won’t fall for the
zero-sum arguments being made. Success for one school doesn’t mean another
necessarily suffers. Rather than trying to whip people into a frenzy, adults should be
rooting for children to succeed.
Tennesseans deserve the facts as it relates to this program. The good news is this: We
have them. Thousands of students already participate in the Education Savings Account
pilot program in Shelby, Davidson and Hamilton counties. Purchases parents make for
their child’s education must be approved by the state, creating a check and balance
against misuse of funds. This program receives high marks in end-of-year surveys from
the parents who actually use it, Tennessee parents who are following the law and who
are accessing the best education for their child.
Independent schools who participate in these programs are also held to high standards.
To qualify for the program, they must meet certain criteria that are reviewed by the
Tennessee Department of Education, which can approve or disapprove of their entry
into it.
This is a serious issue; we are talking about the ways in which we are going to fund and
educate the students of Tennessee so they will thrive as adults. Conaway is welcome to
shill for the status quo in Memphis and Shelby County, where less than 1 in 5 students is
proficient in reading and math. But I’d encourage parents to ignore anyone who mocks
the choices you make for the betterment of your children. You deserve better.
This piece originally ran in the Daily Memphian on January 28, 2024.