Will private schools be held accountable with public dollars?

To the Editor,

   The Republicans in the Iowa General Assembly and Governor Reynolds are delighted to provide “choice” to parents to access non-public schools. This will transfer approximately $7,500 of tax dollars to private schools per student. In a few years, every private student in a private school will generate $7,500 of tax dollars to support the child’s education.

   Currently, public schools are required to have public meetings, share school board agendas, and report student progress. Some of the student progress is achievement (reading, math, and science) by different groups (students with IEPs, lower income, gender, and race), and suspensions/expulsions. There is no current state requirement for private schools to report student progress.

   Historically, Republicans are VERY eager to tout that they believe and expect accountability. I am eager to see if Representative Bradley, Senator Koelker, and Governor Reynolds’ Education Department will open up the private schools for fiscal accountability, board meetings, and student progress to the public to ensure that tax dollars are being used effectively in the private schools.

Respectfully,

Keith Stamp

Monticello, Iowa