School choice will help Iowa students catch up

Iowa’s K-12 students need help. Our scholars are still behind in their studies due in large part because of the pandemic. In addition, we have a teacher shortage that hinders our capacity to get our next generation back on track. Iowa public educators are working hard in tough situations, but we need to innovate to address this issue quickly and effectively!

I believe this education crisis has a solution — school choice. As a retired public and private school teacher, I am acutely familiar with a wide variety of learning environments. The public school is not always the best option. Smaller teacher to student ratios and flexibility with curriculum, often seen in private schools, help address a plethora of students’ needs. Unfortunately, many families across Iowa are not in a financial position to afford tuition, and inflation is making it increasingly difficult.

This year, the Governor will again propose legislation to advance a crucial K-12 education policy that creates Education Scholarship Accounts. ESAs return tax dollars to parents and are allocated for their children’s tuition should they exercise their freedom to choose a learning environment that best fits their needs. Expanding school choice for Iowa parents will return our students to full academic proficiency! Please ask your lawmakers to support Education Scholarship Accounts.

Joe Peters

Cedar Rapids