School choice is not an “us v. them” debate between public and non-public schools. Parents have a moral obligation to educate their children; the community is obligated to support parents in fulfilling this duty. Thousands of Catholic students attend public schools all over Pennsylvania; thousands of non-Catholic students attend parochial and diocesan schools. School choice is a public program that supports and empowers parents with options to determine the best school for their individual child. Public school may be the right choice for one student, but it may not meet the needs of another.
An education system based solely on geography has trapped many students in schools that are not helping them to reach their potential. Financial realities often preclude parents from paying tuition or moving to another neighborhood with a school that best suits their children. Parents who pay their school taxes deserve assistance in the exercise of their right to choose a non-public school, if that is best for their children. School choice legislation that includes a voucher program and an increase in EITC scholarships is a step in the right direction toward expanding those opportunities to more parents.
