School vouchers tear at fabric of our nation

By Matthew Nighswonger

Sunday, March 26, 2017 | 2 a.m.

Education savings accounts take money away from public education, a system that is the backbone of our country.

We don’t give out a lot in America — one is expected to work hard and earn what he or she gets. But by guaranteeing everyone in America gets an education, we do provide an opportunity for one to succeed.

Public education is about what is best for our youths and the future of our country. Giving taxpayer money to educational institutions whose purpose is to promote a particular religious belief — over and above making our children better people — is a preposterous notion that doesn’t belong in a secular nation like the United States.

Proponents of this voucher scheme often contend that public school districts are failing, particularly CCSD. This, however, cannot be further from the truth. Our schools don’t get as much as they need, but we still churn out top-notch students who get into the most prestigious colleges and universities every year.

We do this all while the rules for what we are supposed to be doing get constantly changed.

The state of Nevada has altered the measures for success in public schools every two years; we haven’t had a consistent form of measurement for the public schools in Nevada since before the 2000s.

But even as we’re required to meet shifting metrics, we show improvement. Graduation rates have gone up, reading scores of third-graders have gone up, and more English language learners are able to use the language proficiently. Participation in advanced placement programs has gone up, acceptance into colleges has risen and our students are getting more scholarship money than in the past. None of this speaks to a failing system.

Public schools educate everyone. We don’t and can’t discriminate, and we don’t turn any children away. We have special education students, English language learners, emotionally disturbed students, rich students, poor students, students of all races and backgrounds. Private schools get to choose who comes and who goes within their halls. They turn away students who can’t afford tuition, don’t share the school’s beliefs or don’t score high enough on standardized tests.

ESAs are a bad idea advocated by the wealthy and elite who want to privatize the education system and turn our children’s future over to less inclusive, money-driven groups. It’s time for us as Nevadans to stick up for what is right. Public education has been a building block of America for hundreds of years.

Public education embodies our American values — “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses,” and we will teach them. We will make them better people.

Don’t turn your back on what America is all about.

Don’t support ESAs.

Matthew Nighswonger is a high school teacher in the Clark County School District.