Both PA Candidates for Governor Agree on School Choice?

In a climate of deep political divisiveness, I must admit to my surprise that Pennsylvania’s two gubernatorial candidates agree on the need for expanded school choice.

Senator Doug Mastriano’s campaign site says that he “will work with the legislature to finally bring school choice to Pennsylvania families, so that no child is trapped in a failing school ever again.”

Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s campaign site says he “favors adding choices for parents and educational opportunity for students and funding lifeline scholarships like those approved in other states and introduced in Pennsylvania.”

Could it be that both Republicans and Democrats finally agree that a child’s zip code, ethnicity, or class should not determine whether they have access to a high-quality education?

Pennsylvania’s parents can only hope so.

For too long, we have witnessed a rancorous debate that pits public schools against charters and private schools. We have been fed the half-truths of a scarcity mindset that says resources are limited.

Pennsylvania’s kids deserve more visionary hope and courage than that.

Let’s stop pitting school leaders against each other. As the CEO of Logos Academy, I refuse to see my peers in public and charter schools as foes. All of today’s teachers are front-line heroes in my eyes. All our teachers deserve our support.

PA’s public schools, especially districts with a high concentration of impoverished students, need fair and adequate funding to do the good work they do.

PA’s charter schools need time and opportunity to show they can innovate.

PA’s private schools offer alternatives to families who feel like their children need something different than a one-size-fits-all approach. Families who can’t afford private schools should have access to funds that give them the power of that choice.

Funding our children’s future doesn’t have to be an either-or dichotomy. We can ensure that public districts are not drained of financial resources while we simultaneously give desperate families access to programs like lifeline scholarships.