WHAT IS SCHOOL CHOICE? Expert and lawmaker disagree on whether it helps the Palmetto State

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — This week marks National School Choice Week.

While supporters of school choice believe it empowers parents in areas with struggling schools to improve their child’s education, many Democratic lawmakers in the statehouse disagree.

“South Carolina has struggled in public education for a long time,” said Rep. Kambrell Garvin, a Democrat who represents a district in Columbia. 

A survey conducted by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation found that 72 percent of parents are considering new schools for their children.

“It’s about educational quality. That’s a huge factor for parents, as is school safety,” said Shelby Doyle with the National School Choice Awareness Foundation.

Last year, Governor Henry McMaster signed a bill that allows up to 15,000 students in South Carolina to go to private schools or a public school outside of their district using public funds. This bill faced opposition from Democrats in the statehouse.

“I fully support public school choice by enabling parents to decide which public school to send their child to within a particular district,” Garvin said. “When we talk about taking money and needed resources from our public schools, that’s unacceptable.”

The School Choice Bill creates educational scholarship accounts that provide parents with up to $6,000 to pay for their child’s education.

Garvin believes this is a misuse of public dollars that should instead be used to improve public schools.

“I have no issue with private schools,” the representative said. “If an individual wants to send their child to a private school, they have the ability to do so but they should pay out of pocket. We shouldn’t be taking public dollars and sending them to private schools.”

Garvin and other lawmakers argue that school choice weakens already struggling public school district. However, advocates for school choice disagree with this stance.

“We know that the majority of studies show that even in public schools where students have access to other options, all schools get better,” Doyle said. “That’s the effect of kids being in the right match for them.”

A former school teacher in a rural district himself, Garvin believes money being used for private school scholarships should instead be used towards improving failing school districts. 

“We need to focus on teacher retention,” said Garvin, who taught middle school science in Walterboro. “Many of our teachers are leaving the classrooms in high numbers. I think it goes back to pay and being treated like a professional.”

If your child is wanting to leave their current classroom, school choice supporters urge you to do your research now.

“I know January is not an exciting time to think about the fall, but it’s the right time. Enrollment deadlines often fall around the early spring so start now,” Doyle advises.

Find out more about National School Choice Week here.