Are private schools that participate in school choice programs held accountable?
Not only are private schools accountable for the job they do, they’re much more accountable than public schools are. Private schools are primarily accountable to parents, who can pull their children out of a school that fails to serve them. That’s a freedom that parents stuck in the public school monopoly don’t have. If a public school fails to perform, parents have no way to hold it accountable; they’re out of luck. But private schools are not just accountable to parents, they’re also accountable to the public. Private schools in every state comply with a vast array of health and safety regulations, antidiscrimination laws and even rules covering the minimum number of school days. In addition, most private schools already undertake yearly financial audits and evaluate their children using nationally recognized tests, for the simple reason that parents expect and demand it.
Not only are private schools accountable for the job they do, they’re much more accountable than public schools are. Private schools are primarily accountable to parents, who can pull their children out of a school that fails to serve them. That’s a freedom that parents stuck in the public school monopoly don’t have. If a public school fails to perform, parents have no way to hold it accountable; they’re out of luck. But private schools are not just accountable to parents, they’re also accountable to the public. Private schools in every state comply with a vast array of health and safety regulations, antidiscrimination laws and even rules covering the minimum number of school days. In addition, most private schools already undertake yearly financial audits and evaluate their children using nationally recognized tests, for the simple reason that parents expect and demand it. Private schools that participate in school choice programs are required to be safe, non-discriminatory and fiscal
A. Not only are private schools accountable for the job they do, they are much more accountable than public schools are. Private schools are primarily accountable to parents, who can pull their children out of a school that fails to serve them. That’s a freedom that parents stuck in the public school monopoly don’t have. If a public school fails to perform, parents have no way to hold it accountable. Private schools are accountable to both parents (through choice) and the public (through existing accountability rules). Private schools in every state comply with a vast array of health and safety regulations, anti-discrimination laws and rules covering the minimum amount of school days. In addition, most private schools already undertake yearly financial audits and evaluate their children using nationally recognized tests, for the simple reason that parents expect and demand it.
Private schools are accountable to both parents (through choice) and the public (through existing accountability rules). Utah’s voucher plan states that a private school that utilizes a voucher “must annually administer a nationally norm-reference test, make the test results available to the parents, and make the test results available to the legislative auditor general.” Piling on more burdensome regulations in the name of accountability would only hamper their ability to teach children better.
Related Questions
- How are LEAs held accountable for meaningful and timely consultation with private schools that request to participate in Title III programs and services?
- Does the receipt of public funds in school choice programs impose duties on private schools with respect to disabled children?
- Are private schools that participate in school choice programs held accountable?
