In 1998, America Online was introducing the nation to the internet. Bill Clinton was president. Michael Jordan was still playing basketball. And the first iteration of education choice was going to ruin public education.
Prior to 1998, Idaho was one of the many states that outlawed public charter schools. The legislature finally acted that year to permit the new form of education, but not without a huge fight.
A trip in our time machine has produced an eerily similar set of statements to today's dispute over House Bill 93 in Idaho. (As of Wednesday afternoon, the Governor has still not signed the measure, amid heavy pressure from those that oppose change to the current system.)
Here's what education choice opponents said in the 1990's:
"This past winter, Senate Education Committee Chairman Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, let it be known he isn’t receptive to the idea, fearing that charter schools might siphon badly needed funding from the regular public school system."Charter Schools Scrutinized Advocates Must Overcome Funding Doubts, Other Woes," The Spokesman-Review, June 30, 1997
"Judd said she was worried about the possible effect on rural areas. If a number of students left the regular school system for a charter school, it might hurt a district’s ability to keep another school going, she said." House okays public charter schools, The Spokesman-Review, February 14, 1998
“Everyone says it won’t take any funds away, but I don’t see how it wouldn’t.” Charter Schools Still Raise Doubts Lawmakers Say Issues Resolved As Bill Heads For House Debate, The Spokesman-Review, January 20, 1998
As Marty McFly would say, this is heavy.
History has a way of repeating itself. Nearly all of the same arguments are now being used again as the state is on the cusp of the biggest expansion of choice since the 1990's.
Despite the predictions of doom and gloom, none of the terrible outcomes predicted in the 1990's actually happened. Charter schools in Idaho are flourishing and a model for the nation. They supplement the traditional K-12 public school system and make it better. And even though they get less funding, thousands of parents remain on charter wait lists throughout the state. Great Scott!
Change is scary. But we cannot be afraid to innovate and find new educational models that allow more children to succeed. Some will fail, some will succeed, but failing to try is not an option.
As the history indicates, this isn't the first time we've had this discussion on education reform, and likely won't be the last. Someone keep the time machine warmed up.