Why wealthy education groups are fighting your right to choose a school – Greeley Tribune

During election season, education groups spend millions to oppose school choice, even though their anti-Amendment 80 ads prove it works. So why do teachers unions and education groups fight to block access to schools that best meet children’s needs?

Amendment 80 is one of the simplest issues on a very long and confusing ballot. Without changing school funding or education programs, Amendment 80 would protect our current right to school choice enshrined in the state constitution.

Who could oppose this? Therefore, teachers unions are forced to claim that school choice is effective and popular.

The union’s goal is to stop Amendment 80 because they know that if passed, it will quell their never-ending siege of school options that families value, including charter schools, magnet schools, and homeschooling.

Without a doubt, Colorado’s school choice system is a great success. Breaking free from the outdated model of assigning schools based on address rather than individual need has transformed education for parents and students.

However, choosing a school is much more than just open enrollment. Look at the popularity of Colorado’s 260 charter schools. These independent, accountable public schools can develop their own curricula and empower teachers to be creative and successful in a highly competitive environment.

Yet anti-Amendment 80 ads claiming school choice is effective do not mention charter schools. These well-funded organizations have long opposed charter schools in an effort to eliminate them in Colorado.

Charter schools cede control to parents and teachers, not unions, challenging the shortcomings of traditional schools. Charter schools that put parents and teachers – rather than a union – at the educational helm pose a direct threat to the shortcomings of conventional schools. They are directly and publicly accountable for results and must compete for every student they enroll. Charter schools consistently rank among the highest-performing public schools.

Instead of celebrating this success in public education, education groups are at risk. Every year in the Legislature, we see new attacks on charter schools and other aspects of school choice. The State Board of Education and local school districts are working to make school choice more difficult and restrict parents’ rights.

The fight to limit the right to choose a school is intensifying. Your freedom to choose the best school for your child is at stake, and these groups are betting millions to maintain the status quo.

Don’t forget what parents discovered during the pandemic: Online learning showed that classrooms often fell short of family expectations. The system did not focus on rigorous academics or demanding curricula. Rather, time was wasted on divisive social issues. Two things happened: many families decided to exercise their right to choose a different path for their children, and educational groups focused attention on parents who had the courage to assert their rights.

Amendment 80 is not just about parents’ rights; it’s about our children’s future. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and their success depends on access to high-quality education that meets their individual needs. By championing school choice, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow and develop into a capable, confident member of our community, ready to take on the challenges of the future.

In the case of District 64, this decision is very close. Our community utilizes a variety of educational opportunities to meet the unique needs of our families. Whether it’s charter schools, homeschooling, or traditional public schools, having a choice gives parents the ability to provide the best for their children. Protecting school choice is essential to ensuring every child in District 64 has access to an education that will set them up for success.

The educational establishment will never back down. This is why we need Amendment 80, which simply builds a high and thick wall around the rights that we currently have. When your rights are protected in the Constitution, they cannot be violated by passing laws or regulations. With your vote, you can quell the continued attacks on parents’ rights and advance the fundamental right of Colorado families to chart their own educational course for their children.

Don’t let big money special interests destroy your right to school choice and limit the future of Colorado children. Please vote in favor of Amendment 80.

Rep. Ryan Armagost represents the 64th Legislative District in Larimer and Weld counties.