Essay
Pro:
This bill allows more students to succeed in school through personal funding. Not every student needs economic support so having the funding go toward the individual will allow the resource to be more effectively allocated. This bill would allow the parents of a student to use government funds to support their child better. A parent knows their child and their child’s needs best.
The program has already been introduced in Florida and according to Andrew Handel, The Director of ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council), “Learning can and should be a highly personalized experience that takes the form of the individual student being taught.” Each student has their own needs and should be treated accordingly. Each student has their own preferred method of engaging with information and deciding their own funding will allow them to use the classroom styles that support them best.
Con:
The funding going to the individual accounts takes away funding from schools. Support systems within the school may be weakened to benefit the individual. Assuming this funding is used on the individual student it may benefit the individual, however, it will detract from the rest of the students who do not get an account. This assumes the funds are being used on the student’s education. Comparing the proposed Minnesota bill to the passed ESA bill in Florida, some items allowed to be purchased with the funds are Theme Park Tickets, TVs, and gardening equipment. These items are funded through taxpayer dollars.
According to Chester Finn Jr., a former professor at Vanderbilt University and former counselor to the Secretary of the Department of Education, “…even good parents often make dubious education choices, choices that ill-serve their kids in the long run.” Parents may know their students the best, but educators know what a student needs and how to recognize issues students may face. The purpose of a school is to have trained educators who know what is best for students, we should trust our teachers to use funding in the most efficient way possible.
Finn, Chester E., Jr. “Why I’m Wary of Universal Education Savings Accounts.” The Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Why I’m wary of universal education savings accounts
Handel, Andrew. “The Truth About Education Savings Accounts in Florida -American Legislative Exchange Council.” American Legislative Exchange Council, edited by American Legislative Exchange Council, 6 Sept. 2023, The Truth about Education Savings Accounts in Florida
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship/Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options Purchasing Guide 2023-24
https://go.stepupforstudents.org/hubfs/GUIDES/FTC%20FES-EO%20Purchasing%20Guide%202023-24.pdf