As school choice expands, more parents have increased options for their children’s education. They can choose the education that works best for their child and their family. This is a wonderful freedom, but for many, it can feel overwhelming.
Sara Randazzo’s August 16th piece for the Wall Street Journal, “I’m an Education Reporter. Finding a Kindergarten for my Son Still Overwhelmed me,” lamented the challenges related to making the right school choice for her kindergartener in L.A.’s huge metropolitan school district. When even an education reporter feels like finding the right school for her son feels “like a part-time job,” it’s clear that most parents need help in this process, especially as school choice expands around the country.
Choosing a school requires parent or caregiver initiative and know-how, yet not all children come from families with parents who know how to make school choice work for them. In Florida, recent data indicate that nearly 1.8 million students are enrolled in something other than their zoned neighborhood school. Seeing this know-how problem in Florida is why I co-founded GuidEd, a 501(c)(3) education advisory services organization that provides local families with free, unbiased, and personalized support in their school search. GuidEd connects with families through our call center to coach families through the school choice process. Conversations are tailored to the family’s personal preferences and the students’ unique needs. The advisors can simplify complex scholarship and financial jargon, too.
The school search is a burden that America’s most resource-constrained families do not always have the capacity to take on. Language barriers, internet access, and a general knowledge gap are all significant barriers to vulnerable families accessing the best schools for their children. Choosing a school is a high-stakes decision with real consequences that could come in the form of learning loss, bullying, or values misalignment. These outcomes can be avoided when families have access to high-quality support in the decision-making process.
As a proponent of education freedom and school choice, I’m keenly aware that the success of these movements depends on the ability of families to access unbiased information about their education options to help them choose well for their children. Others around the country should consider starting organizations like GuidEd to replicate our success with parents and students.