Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) scored a major legislative victory last week, ushering into law one of the nation’s most sweeping school choice plans.
Reynolds spoke with CBN’s Faithwire and explained why she’s passionate about bringing school choice to the students and families in her state.
“I believe parents should be able to decide what is the best environment for their child to be everything that they can be,” she said, explaining why so many parents have become more active in their children’s education. “COVID really put a fine point on that, because it gave parents a front-row seat to what was happening in their child’s classroom. And … a lot of them didn’t like what they were seeing.”
Reynolds made education reform a top administrative priority, championing the new law allowing parents to use public funding to send their children to private schools if they so choose.
She believes her plan will make a significant difference in the lives of parents, kids and families.
“The bottom line is: all parents, not just a few, should have the opportunity to choose and have that choice, whether it’s faith-based, or academic, or whatever that may be,” Reynolds said. “That parent, as long as it’s in an accredited private school, should have the opportunity to make that choice.”
The plan, which the governor said is the “most aggressive” in the U.S., will become universal over the next three years. Each student will be entitled to around $7,600 per year, which will be available in an educational savings account. The sum is based on the cost of public school per pupil.
Reynolds responded to critiques from union leaders like Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, who likened this plan to “schemes to funnel taxpayers’ money to the wealthy few.” Some warn the plan could damage public education.
The governor dismissed such claims, stating the pushback is centered on worries the law threatens teachers’ unions’ existence.
For the original article, visit our content partners at faithwire.com. {eoa}
Reprinted with permission from cbn.com. Copyright © 2022 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.“
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