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 Welcome to the website of Parents In Control, an educational organization dedicated to the cause of school reform, including but not limited to school choice, charter schools, curriculum, and other education policy. PIC, founded by former Kansas Senator Kay O'Connor, is currently under transformation and is now under the control of Interim Executive Director Dr. Jeff Barclay. Below is a letter from Mr. Barclay with some words on school choice. Please stay tuned to this website for future updates, as they will be coming soon, along with a newly redesigned website. Thank you!
An Open Letter on School Choice Written by Dr. Jeff Barclay, Interim Director of Kansas Parents in Control I recently had an interesting visit with Democratic Kansas State Legislator Bob Holland. I discussed the issue of school choice with him. He did not see any opportunities for vouchers at this time. I explained the concept of tax credits. In Illinois, my home state until three years ago, parents of private schooled children could receive a $500/child tax credit. Private school students living on public school bus routes could also receive annual mileage reimbursement for travel too and from a private school. Rep. Holland seemed amiable to this kind of "choice." He said that he knew of many in his district that home schooled and was aware of increasing numbers of families choosing private schools and online virtual schools. He said, "I believe my duty is to represent my entire district." he said. I think there was a bit of campaign rhetoric in his comment, but was nonetheless, I was encouraged to have had the conversation. The current Kansas State Board of Education has been focusing on developing more charter or online schools- I suppose their thinking is that these schools are less of a political hot potato. Gary Lewis, Principal of the Lawrence Virtual School was recently quoted in the Lawrence Journal World, “Competition always improves quality.” I agree. Let’s level the educational choice playing field by making it possible for Kansas families to also choose non-government, managed schools. I suggest offering vouchers, tuition reimbursements, or tax credits to make true choice possible. Kansas children would be the beneficiaries. Competition would challenge all schools to perform. If parents had choices, schools getting failing grades would see students exiting their classrooms. Some of you may be aware that Gov. Sebelius has been floating the idea of turning the State Board of Education into appointed positions. Interesting, would that be good for Kansas’ young learners? Her motives may be suspect. It would also require a change in the Kansas State Constitution. The most fascinating part of my visit was when Rep. Holland told me, that to his knowledge, there has been no focused lobbying concerning school choice in Kansas for some time. There is plethora of school choice initiatives in many states. Nationally, one reason school choice is enjoying second looks is while school choice results in the loss of some students to public schools, choice is also resulting in savings to state education budgets and a drop in tax levies. School Reform News (published by the Heartland Institute), a newspaper sized monthly publication, is an excellent resource for up-to-date school choice news. It is well edited and focuses on news, primary research, and what is best for children. Although I am a Christian with conservative moral views, some of the rhetoric from our camp is typically reactionary and counter-productive. For instance, in my opinion, when it comes to educational choice, the question, "What is best for Kansas’ students?” is a fair one. Some of you have been around Kansas much longer than I have. With whom can Parents in Control cooperate and network? Who is or has already done some preliminary leg work? Are there teachers, administrators, elected officials, parents, business people, lawyers or civic leaders in your circles of influence that have interests in reforming the way education is paid for in Kansas? Who might like to contribute to jumpstart PIC and the discussion of school choice in Kansas? Private school tuitions are becoming more and more difficult for working families to pay. Statistically, private schools are succeeding where some local public schools are floundering. I think everyone is aware that higher taxes and federal mandates cannot solve the problems with which public schools wrestle. There is the window of opportunity for school choice here in Kansas. I suggest that you talk to your Kansas candidates about this issue. See where they stand on the issue of tax credits for private schools. All current Kansas Senators and Representatives receive School Reform News. Ask them if they read it. We may have friends we have yet to meet. Certainly we have our opponents. I am not naïve. Educational reform has always been an uphill climb. Last summer I hiked Pikes Peak with my sons, every step was worth it. I am ready to hear back from you-
Dr. Jeff Barclay
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