Course Choice

Too many families still lack choice when it comes to choosing a school that best fit their children’s needs. Often, the only available choice is tied to their zip code. Parents should have more opportunities to evaluate and choose schools based on curriculum, facilities, safety, special needs programs, core values, and more. 

School choice programs and homeschooling are becoming more prevalent, but even in these situations, educational options often come in a bundle. Parents who can afford to pay out of pocket for tutoring and other services can customize their children’s education, while others make do with the status quo. 

Those in rural communities, in particular, struggle to provide a full suite of course offerings. Making matters worse, in many communities, children are still struggling from COVID-related learning loss and require a more personalized plan for education to catch up. Meanwhile, schools are facing mounting pressure to be all things for all students. 

Course choice allows all public and homeschooled students to get credit from outside sources for up to two courses. Course credit could come from schools in other districts, charter or private schools, community programs, online platforms or colleges. Even work experience could count toward credit. 

This solution would offer more flexibility and access to diverse programs, catering to individual student needs and interests. Funding would follow the child to any online or in-person provider they choose—benefiting all families, not just high wage-earners. 

From Advanced Placement to career-focused learning or foreign languages, every family would be able to enrich their child’s education and prepare them for an enterprising future.