Here are my opinions and analysis:
Recently, the Arizona State Legislature passed a bill that allows all K-12 students in Arizona to apply for vouchers to pay for private, parish, or home schooling. While this announcement will cause some families to reconsider their child’s school choices, for our family the decision is clear. We stick to public schools. Here are some reasons.
First, public schools are affordable. Most families consider cost when choosing a school. In Arizona, the average annual tuition fee for private schools is $12,650. At this price tag, even if my girlfriend’s three children each received an average of $7,000 in vouchers, we’d be paying about $17,000 a year for their education. For our family, this is more than just a financial responsibility. Instead, we choose to take advantage of the solid education we already pay for with our taxes. And we invest in experiences that enrich our children’s lives, such as travel, music lessons, and extracurricular activities.
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Second, public schools are accountable. Each year, you must submit your student’s state test scores to the Arizona Department of Education. You then receive a letter grade based on those scores and other factors such as your English learner’s progress and graduation rate. In particular, legislators removed private school testing accountability from the voucher bill, even though these sites now receive taxpayer money.
Public schools are also required to serve eligible students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Elements of the IDEA Act may be implemented in nonpublic schools, but accommodations are not guaranteed. We are grateful that these legal frameworks bring transparency and accountability to all public school students.
Public schools are also full of quality teachers. As long as low wages and low morale contribute to teacher shortages, it is true that some mediocre educators will be hired to fill the vacancies. We look forward to seeing the innovative public school educators working their magic every week in the We are the only school district in the state that offers full-time mentors to all first and second year certified teachers. We also appreciate that public schools pay teachers an average of 21% more than private schools to attract qualified candidates.
Another reason we choose public schools is because they are the epitome of our community. Private schools are among the most segregated schools in America, according to 2019 government data. White students make up 47% of the nation’s students, but make up 66% of private school students. Conversely, low-income students make up 50% of American students, but only 9% of private school enrollments. Three-quarters of voucher applications come from students who never enrolled in a public school in the first place, so we doubt these demographics will change anytime soon. Until that happens, we will continue to support public schools that serve everyone in the Tucson community.
Finally, having children in the public school system means I have a say in how young people are educated. Public schools are far from perfect. The issues surrounding student behavior, excessive testing, and a shortage of certified teachers are real and serious. But having a front row seat in our public schools means we can more easily identify and address these issues. This may include creating grants for school equipment, discussing curriculum issues with the principal, or volunteering for her PTO. When people invest in public school districts, they are more likely to notice and correct practices that don’t serve their students.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a school, and families should weigh their options carefully. But even with the charm of vouchers shaking us, our family sticks to public schools.
Heather Mace is a contributor to the Arizona Daily Star and a teacher mentor in Tucson.
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