Missouri School Choice Solutions

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School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects on the educational progress of American schoolchildren, revealed deep inadequacies of the public-school monopoly, and left families feeling powerless about setting the direction of their children’s education. Thankfully, support for school choice in Missouri has been consistently growing. Several bills have been proposed that would allow students to attend public schools in other districts, enabling them to thrive and learn in a setting suited to their personal needs. They would also allow families to use a tax credit towards charter schools, which often benefit students with special needs.

In early 2022, Governor Mike Parson issued a proclamation regarding the importance of school choice. He dedicated a full week in January to school choice, coining it “Missouri School Choice Week.” Governor Parson understands that options are key to ensuring that students thrive at school.

National test results for 2022 show that school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic had a harmful effect on American schoolchildren. For the first time in the history of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), scores in reading and math fell by the largest margin in more than 30 years and students in Missouri were no exception. See Chart on page 2.

In 2022, according to the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) in Missouri:

• The reading level of 4th grade students who performed at or above the NAEP Proficient in was only 30%.
• Black 4th grade students had an average reading score that was 34 points lower than that for White students.
• Hispanic 4th grade students had an average reading score that was 10 points lower than that for White students.
• Low-income 4th grade students had an average reading score that was 30 points lower than that for students from middle and high income families.

These test scores can have powerful consequences for a generation of children. Reversing these achievement losses will need aggressive action over the next several years. Parents need the ability to leave their government-mandated schools if necessary to help ensure their children have better academic opportunities. School choice is also shown to improve public schools by increasing accountability, fostering competitiveness, and boosting student outcomes. When parents can choose which option best fits their child’s needs, whether that means opting to switch or not, students reap the benefits.

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and America First Works (AFW) are educating people in Missouri about the benefits of school choice and amplifying AFPI’s work. AFW has issued letters of support to Education Committee members in Missouri, which helped to garner support for action on school choice.

As the AFPI Center for Education Opportunity, Chairman Scott Turner repeatedly states, “No one knows the needs and interests of a child more than their parent or guardian.”

School choice is representative of two core American values—freedom and opportunity. At AFPI, we believe that the purpose of education is to prepare Americans for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. As public support for school choice continues to grow, students across the nation will have access to schooling that meets individualized needs, and educational outcomes will improve. Most importantly, parents will be empowered to have a stronger voice in the conversation about their child’s schooling. While the Biden administration tries to stall progress on school choice policies, the Center for Education Opportunity remains highly committed to the school choice mission