Mark Bennett’s opinion piece on the state’s new voucher program takes an unfortunate and misguided stance against quality educational options for children. Rather than embracing recent changes as an opportunity for all schools to get better, the author takes an approach that is simply counter-productive to what is best for our children.

Bennett is on target when pointing to recent improvements within the public school system. Indeed, over the last few years Indiana has seen historic gains in ISTEP-Plus scores, graduation rates and AP pass rates. But his argument that these results mean the current system should be left unchanged rings false, and it could easily be argued that the major push for systemic reform has been one of the reasons for the recent gains.

Since 2009, new levels of competition, increased flexibility for school leaders, and more quality options for families have driven results across the board. Policies fueling such dramatic gains should be accelerated rather than slowed down.

One of the fundamental injustices of our education system is that some students have choices while others are condemned to attend failing schools year after year. Too often, zip codes and family income determine whether a child will succeed at school and in life. This is simply the antithesis of the American dream.

Like so many others, I believe Mark Bennett equates our desire to educate the public with state-run public schools. These are two very separate ideas. Other countries have no problem with public funds going to private schools because they understand that focus should not be on where the child goes to school but that the child gets educated.

Ultimately, the new voucher program is about providing quality educational choices to all students. There are many great traditional public schools in Indiana, and logic dictates that few parents will take their child out of a great school — whether it’s public, charter or private. But every child should have the right to attend a school that meets his or her needs.

Thankfully, a growing number of educators, parents and policy makers are beginning to realize that what matters most is providing all students access to high quality options.

More than ever, it’s important our public servants remain committed to pursuing better outcomes for the individuals they serve. The public’s interest is best served when every child receives a great education, regardless of whether they attend a public, charter or private school.

And now, thanks to all the recent reforms, including the state’s voucher program, we are closer than ever to truly fulfilling the dream of public education for all children.

— Robert C. Enlow
President and CEO
The Friedman Foundation
for Educational Choice