'We Are at a Fork in the Road'

Former Secretary of Education Cardona speaks out for public education and against vouchers

- MIGUEL CARDONA

PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE great equalizer. Like millions of American students across the country today, growing up, I had only what my neighborhood school provided. And, in my case, it was a good start. It allowed an economically disadvantaged English learner to go on to earn a doctor-ate and advise the president of the United States.

Still, I believe in school choice. In fact, I am a product of school choice. I chose to attend a public technical high school instead of the traditional neighborhood option. Thirty years later, I believe that choice helped me get to the position of secretary of education.

My career as an educator—and, more importantly, as a father—confirms my belief that every parent should have options on how to educate their children. Whether they have chosen public schools, independent schools, parochial/religious schools, charter or magnet schools, I have seen students flourish.

What I do not believe in is reducing public education dollars to fund vouchers or academic scholarships to private institutions. While many of those institutions do great work preparing students, they take funding from underperforming schools that are so cash-strapped that they are already unable to provide students basic services or adequate learning conditions.

In fact, the national proliferation of voucher programs is contributing to the defunding of public education, an effort that the current administration seems to be accelerating with their policies.