H.R. 610 - The Choices in Education Act 2017
[NOTE: This is a letter I recently sent to my United States Representative, Rodney Davis, in regards to H.R. 610, a bill recently introduced in Congress. Much of the text was inspired by a Facebook post that I modified and then shared publicly. Feel free to use this text as a template for your own letters to your Representatives if you feel so inclined to contact them.]
Dear Rep. Davis:
I am writing to you in regards to H.R. 610, the so-called “Choices in Education Act of 2017.” It may sound like having a school voucher system is a good idea. As a fiscal conservative, I believe there are many instances in which competition and choice improves the overall quality of the organization, program, or system. However, public education should never be about pitting one class, one school, one district, or one state against another. Public education is about teaching all children in all settings. This is enshrouded in our Illinois State Constitution, which states in Article X Section 1: "A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities."
But H.R. 610 doesn't just allow parents the option to choose any school they want their children to go to; it will also result in completely dismantling the public education program as we know it. This bill would start the school voucher system to be used by children ages 5-17 and, in the process, defund public schools by by removing crucial fiscal support for students who receive services such as special education and early childhood education. These groups of students are often among the least served in private schools, and yet the proposed voucher system will take money from public schools and give it to private schools, many of which not only charge tuition but also operate as for-profit entities.
Even more concerning to me, as an educator, than the funding inequities is that this bill will eliminate the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), which is the nation's educational law that provides equal opportunity in education for all students. (It was reauthorized under President George .W. Bush as No Child Left Behind and again under President Barack Obama as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Repealing ESEA/ESSA without replacing it removes every safeguard and guarantee you have to protect your child's rights as a student and your rights as a parent.
Rep. Davis, surely you know that ESSA, a bill you voted for, is the comprehensive law that covers programs for struggling learners, advanced and gifted students in AP classes, bilingual, dual language, and English-language learning classes, provides resources for rural education, requires schools to teach students who are homeless, promotes school safety, authorizes monitoring and compliance of federal law, requires teachers to be qualified in their fields, provides funding for research, supports school libraries, encourages the use of 21st century technologies, and promotes family engagement (including the idea that parents should be a part of the decision-making process in schools). H.R. 610 has no wording whatsoever protecting students with special needs because, even though the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requires it, repealing ESSA eliminates the ability to monitor and enforce it. All of these are safeguards that directly impact your constituents; the families in the communities you represent.
Finally, H.R. 610 would also abolish the Nutritional Act of 2012 (No Hungry Kids Act) which provides nutritional standards in school breakfast and lunch. Regardless of how much your kids complain about school lunches, the No Hungry Kids Act not only ensures they are receiving nutritious food, but it also makes it possible for food insecure families to feed their children at least two solid meals a day. Again, I am not talking about theoretical children in distant lands; I am talking about children in the communities you represent whose families rely on this program to make sure their children are well-fed and able to learn while at school so that their parents can focus on job-training and job-seeking as they try to improve their situations.
Please vote NO on H.R. 610. This isn't about political party; it is about doing what is best for the students of our nation, our state, and our communities. As always, I welcome you to visit my classroom to meet my students, see what they are learning, and talk about education with teachers in your congressional district.
UPDATE! I received the following replay from Representative Davis:
Dear Rep. Davis:
I am writing to you in regards to H.R. 610, the so-called “Choices in Education Act of 2017.” It may sound like having a school voucher system is a good idea. As a fiscal conservative, I believe there are many instances in which competition and choice improves the overall quality of the organization, program, or system. However, public education should never be about pitting one class, one school, one district, or one state against another. Public education is about teaching all children in all settings. This is enshrouded in our Illinois State Constitution, which states in Article X Section 1: "A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities."
But H.R. 610 doesn't just allow parents the option to choose any school they want their children to go to; it will also result in completely dismantling the public education program as we know it. This bill would start the school voucher system to be used by children ages 5-17 and, in the process, defund public schools by by removing crucial fiscal support for students who receive services such as special education and early childhood education. These groups of students are often among the least served in private schools, and yet the proposed voucher system will take money from public schools and give it to private schools, many of which not only charge tuition but also operate as for-profit entities.
Even more concerning to me, as an educator, than the funding inequities is that this bill will eliminate the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), which is the nation's educational law that provides equal opportunity in education for all students. (It was reauthorized under President George .W. Bush as No Child Left Behind and again under President Barack Obama as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Repealing ESEA/ESSA without replacing it removes every safeguard and guarantee you have to protect your child's rights as a student and your rights as a parent.
Rep. Davis, surely you know that ESSA, a bill you voted for, is the comprehensive law that covers programs for struggling learners, advanced and gifted students in AP classes, bilingual, dual language, and English-language learning classes, provides resources for rural education, requires schools to teach students who are homeless, promotes school safety, authorizes monitoring and compliance of federal law, requires teachers to be qualified in their fields, provides funding for research, supports school libraries, encourages the use of 21st century technologies, and promotes family engagement (including the idea that parents should be a part of the decision-making process in schools). H.R. 610 has no wording whatsoever protecting students with special needs because, even though the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requires it, repealing ESSA eliminates the ability to monitor and enforce it. All of these are safeguards that directly impact your constituents; the families in the communities you represent.
Finally, H.R. 610 would also abolish the Nutritional Act of 2012 (No Hungry Kids Act) which provides nutritional standards in school breakfast and lunch. Regardless of how much your kids complain about school lunches, the No Hungry Kids Act not only ensures they are receiving nutritious food, but it also makes it possible for food insecure families to feed their children at least two solid meals a day. Again, I am not talking about theoretical children in distant lands; I am talking about children in the communities you represent whose families rely on this program to make sure their children are well-fed and able to learn while at school so that their parents can focus on job-training and job-seeking as they try to improve their situations.
Please vote NO on H.R. 610. This isn't about political party; it is about doing what is best for the students of our nation, our state, and our communities. As always, I welcome you to visit my classroom to meet my students, see what they are learning, and talk about education with teachers in your congressional district.
UPDATE! I received the following replay from Representative Davis:
| Dear Mr. Valencic, Thank you for contacting my office regarding H.R.610, which would distribute Federal funds in the form of school vouchers. I appreciate hearing from constituents in my district and the time you took to share your thoughts. I share your concerns with private school vouchers and the quality of education received by students who utilize them. I believe funding for education is critical to investing in our nation's future, and when it comes to improving education, Congress must work together to get the job done. As you may know, H.R. 610 would repeal the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. I voted for ESEA Reauthorization in the 114th Congress and therefore cannot support H.R. 610. I will continue to fight for federal education policies that empower our local administrators, teachers and parents so they can provide for the needs of their schools and students. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to closely monitor this piece of legislation and education issues. Please let me know if my office can be of assistance to you in the future. If you are facing a challenge with a federal agency or are planning a trip to our nation's capital and would like a tour, please call my office or visit my website. In addition, if you would like to stay informed on what is happening in Washington, DC and around the 13th District, please sign up to receive my e-newsletter by visiting https://rodneydavis.house.gov/ | |||
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