Education Matters With MySchoolOptions Institute For Quality Education

Garrett Ballengee from the Cardinal Institute discusses education reform and school choice in West Virginia. The state has a high poverty rate and a struggling education system. The Cardinal Institute aims to build the 'West Virginia miracle' through four pillars: education freedom, economic freedom, workforce freedom, and a culture of freedom. They have been successful in passing comprehensive school choice programs, including public charter school laws and the expansive HOPE Scholarship ESA program. The ESA program has had a positive impact on parents and students, with increased enrollment in private schools and the ability to customize education experiences. The conversation explores the impact of school choice and education innovation, specifically focusing on West Virginia's ESA program. Sarah and Garrett discuss the benefits of school choice for students, families, and teachers, highlighting the ability to customize education and create economically viable careers for teachers. They also discuss the challenges and growing pains of implementing and administering ESA programs, including legal battles and technological issues. The conversation emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about school choice and creating alternative pathways for students who don't fit into traditional education systems.

Takeaways

The lack of school choice or education freedom is a primary reason for the struggles in West Virginia's education system.

The Cardinal Institute aims to build the 'West Virginia miracle' through education freedom, economic freedom, workforce freedom, and a culture of freedom.

West Virginia has passed comprehensive school choice programs, including public charter school laws and the expansive HOPE Scholarship ESA program.

The HOPE Scholarship ESA program has had a positive impact on parents and students, with increased enrollment in private schools and the ability to customize education experiences. School choice allows for customization of education and empowers students and families to make decisions about their education.

ESA programs can create economically viable careers for teachers and provide alternative pathways for students who don't fit into traditional education systems.

Raising awareness about school choice is crucial for its success, and organizations play a vital role in marketing and communication efforts.

Implementing and administering ESA programs can come with challenges, including legal battles and technological issues.

Education innovation is evolving, with a focus on preparing students for the future and recognizing the value of different career paths.


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In honor of Charter School Week, Education Matters with MySchoolOptions is bringing you this conversation with host Cesar Roman and guests Jacqueline Cronk, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County, and Jeremy Lugbill, Superintendent for Career and Success Academy Network of Public Schools in South Bend, Indiana. The conversation explores the partnership between the Boys and Girls Club and Career Academy Network of Public Schools on a new Charter School in South Bend, Indiana. The main themes include enhancing the educational experience, creating a teacher pipeline, providing access to different opportunities, and making learning relevant and impactful. The partnership aims to prepare students for the future by offering project-based learning, interdisciplinary connections, and real-world experiences. The Boys and Girls Club aims to inspire and enable all kids to reach their full potential through innovative programming and partnerships. Career and Success Academy Network focuses on transforming lives through passionate, innovative, and impactful learning experiences. The conversation highlights their collaboration in creating a micro school and other initiatives to meet the needs of students in the community.

Takeaways

Charter schools offer high-quality, tuition-free options with accountability and flexibility.

Addressing the emotional needs of students is crucial for their overall well-being and academic success.

Creating innovative learning experiences, such as micro schools and makerspaces, can enhance student engagement and prepare them for the future. The partnership between the Boys and Girls Club and Career Academy Network aims to enhance the educational experience for students in South Bend, Indiana.

The partnership focuses on creating a teacher pipeline and providing access to different opportunities for students.

Project-based learning, interdisciplinary connections, and real-world experiences are key components of the educational model.

Community collaboration and education advocacy play a crucial role in driving change in education.

The lasting impact of the partnership is to prepare students for the future and transform the educational landscape in the South Bend community.


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John Elcesser, the executive director of Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA), discusses his background in non-public education and the importance of school choice advocacy. He highlights the impact of non-public schools in Indiana and the need for diverse educational options. Elcesser emphasizes the role of advocacy in protecting and expanding school choice programs, and the importance of grassroots support. He shares his favorite moments of successful advocacy efforts and the growth of enrollment in non-public schools. Elcesser also looks ahead to the goal of universal school choice in Indiana by 2025. The future of school choice is moving towards universal access, with the goal of providing choice to all families. However, there is a concern about regulatory creep, where more regulations are being imposed on non-public and choice schools, dampening their excitement. Advocacy is crucial to ensure the expansion of school choice and address barriers such as transportation and athletic eligibility. Capital-related issues, like limited access to outside funding, also pose challenges for non-public schools. The SGO program has been instrumental in making high school education affordable, and there is a need to keep it viable and explore ways to enhance it. It is essential for individuals to be involved, engaged, and informed in the political process to support school choice initiatives.

Takeaways

Non-public schools in Indiana have made significant contributions to the educational landscape and have produced many leaders in the state.

Advocacy is crucial for protecting and expanding school choice programs, and grassroots support plays a vital role in influencing legislators.

The impact of school choice legislation can be seen in increased enrollment and growth of non-public schools.

The goal of universal school choice in Indiana by 2025 is achievable with continued advocacy and engagement. The future of school choice is focused on achieving universal access for all families.

Regulatory creep, with increasing regulations on non-public and choice schools, is a concern that dampens schools' excitement.

The current system creates an awkward environment in schools where only a small percentage of families are eligible for choice programs.

Advocacy is crucial to expand school choice and address barriers such as transportation and athletic eligibility.

Capital-related issues, like limited access to outside funding, pose challenges for non-public schools.

The SGO program has been instrumental in making high school education affordable and needs to be kept viable and enhanced.

Individuals need to be involved, engaged, and informed in the political process to support school choice initiatives.


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Sarah and returning guest Molly from IQE cover all the news that’s fit to print about school choice around Indiana and the nation in this first news roundup segment!

The two discuss the landscape of school choice in Indiana and the importance of policy and grassroots efforts in advancing school choice initiatives. They highlight the collaboration between policy and grassroots teams in achieving school choice expansions in the state. They also discuss the increasing attention and discussions around school choice in recent years, as well as the role of Indiana in paving the way for other states. 

The conversation touches on the legislative process and the challenges of navigating different perspectives within the Republican Party. They also explore the cost savings of school choice programs and the positive outcomes of voucher programs in Indiana. Finally, they mention articles that discuss the cost of school choice and the different perspectives in the school choice debate. 

The conversation explores the topic of school choice and its various aspects. The speakers emphasize that school choice does not demonize public schools but rather aims to provide parents with options for their children's education. 

They discuss the importance of allowing parents to make decisions about their child's education and highlight the need for access to different types of schools. The conversation also touches on the misconception that school choice takes money away from public schools, emphasizing that the funds should follow the student. The speakers delve into the concept of micro schools and their benefits, particularly for rural communities. They conclude by noting that school choice is a dynamic and evolving movement that varies from state to state and will continue to expand and be implemented in the coming years.

Read The Articles:

In Arkansas, School Choice Is Encouraging Education Entrepreneurship

U.S. Catholic school report highlights steady enrollment, disability accessibility, and school choice

Opinion | Rural Republicans Embrace School Choice

Tennessee House, Senate divided on school choice bill as governor aims for compromise

School Choice Is Key to Ensuring Parents' Rights


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Cesar is joined by Monique Love, a mother of four and an educator specializing in reading, who shares her unique perspective on education. She discusses her journey from being a public school teacher to becoming a homeschooling parent. Monique's decision to homeschool was influenced by her experiences in the school system and her desire to provide the best education for her children. She also talks about her involvement in evaluating charter schools and the challenges of ongoing evaluation. In this conversation, Monique Love discusses various aspects of education, including evaluation and coaching practices, what makes a great school, the importance of credible teachers, special education practices, and the need to pay teachers adequately. She emphasizes the role of advocacy and the importance of choices in education. Monique also shares her experience in finding school options and highlights the need to address barriers to ensure equitable access to high-quality education for all students. She encourages parents to be involved, ask questions, and hold schools accountable.

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Sarah is joined by Lorenza Jara Pastrick, Principal of the Bishop Knoll Institute, who shares her personal background and journey through education to end up as principal of her alma mater, the Bishop Knoll Institute. She discusses her experiences and the immense personal and professional rewards she has received by shepherding so many children in the region through their Catholic education journeys. Principal Pastrick covers the emergence of AI and coaching her students through booms in technological advancements in the tools available to kids with innovation coaches, breaks down how her STEM labs work differently than legacy schooling, and cover how this is all made possible by the advancement of school choice over the course of her career from a young teacher to now a school principal. 

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