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school choice
November 17, 2008
Turning Sasha and Malia school watch into a political opportunity
First family-elect. (Via Flickr.)
Last night on “60 Minutes,” during her first interview as First Lady-elect, Michelle Obama was asked how she will decide where to send her daughters to school. “We want that to be a personal process,” she said.
Democrats for Education Reform, the lobbying group I profiled last week, is looking at the Obamas’ choice through a political lens. DFER wants the president-elect and his wife to consider sending their daughters to charter schools — and, barring that, to support charter schools, a top DFER issue.
The group is also asking charter school parents to plead with the Obamas, by mailing in a form letter:
Dear President Elect Obama:
We write with pride to congratulate you on making history.
As parents, we appreciate the great care you and Michelle are taking to make sure your daughters will fare well when you (and your new puppy) make the move to your new neighborhood in Washington. We understand how much thought your family will put toward finding the best schools for your children.
As parents who have selected public charter schools (and other schools of choice) for our own children, we understand the importance of having excellent educational options.
We encourage you to include public charter schools in your school shopping list. More importantly, however, we encourage you to remember that all parents should be able to make these kinds of crucial, life-changing decisions on behalf of their children. And they should do so with as many excellent options in front of them as we can possibly provide.
Please join us in fighting for parental choice so that every child in America has the kind of opportunities they deserve.
Sincerely,
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November 18th, 2008 5:30 am
The Obama’s have the right to send their children to whatever school they please. In the current climate, though, I would keep those kids away from any Michelle Rhee, Joel Klein, or Paul Vallas-run systems. Those systems are dishonest and do not serve the children of those cities.
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November 18th, 2008 7:37 am
Surely in a democratic society all parents must make their own choice for their children. Leave them alone to make this decision….it is personal and no ones business!
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November 18th, 2008 3:52 pm
It is absolutely the nation’s business in that choosing private school sends the message that public education doesn’t work. It would also do a great deal to help public schools in general. The more engaged families of means who send their kids to public schools, the more attention and resources those schools enjoy. Who better than the first family to set that example?
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November 18th, 2008 9:30 pm
Having endured through the public schools of Washington DC, I would urge the Obamas to consider their daughters first and send them to private schools. I believe there should be equality of choice and education for everyone, and the Obamas should work for this, but the poor girls shouldn’t have to suffer for it.
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