Dear Editor,

As a father of four and grandfather of nine, education is a high priority. I am not an “insider,” so I have no allegiance to public or private schools. Society benefits from a well-educated populace who exercise critical and analytical thinking skills while civilly engaging with others. Our children and grandchildren must have a prosperous, safe, free, and hopeful future. They don’t need oppressive systems where diverse opinions are crushed.

Many schools in Colorado are underperforming. US News and World Report has a link in their education section allowing readers to research schools throughout the country. A high graduation rate does not mean the “system” is serving its students well.

Estes Park High School has an 83% graduation rate, but a 30% proficiency in mathematics, 63% reading proficiency, and 42% of students passing at least one AP examination.

Boulder High School has a 95% graduation rate, yet demonstrates 62% mathematics proficiency, 82% reading proficiency, and 53% of students passing at least one AP exam.

This is not meant to trash teachers or any other group. It’s a call to look at systemic educational failures. Some schools have been underperforming for more than ten years, yet little is done to address this critically important issue. The system protects itself, hiding behind “five-year plans.”

Our children need a solid educational foundation. Social justice classes are not the answer. Students must be taught how to develop solutions benefitting all people regardless of race, sex, religious background, politics, etc. They need skills to work for the greater good of all while individuality, personal freedoms, and mutual respect are championed. Reading, math, science, etc. are essential to a successful future for individuals and our society.

The education monopoly must change lest our children and grandchildren be denied academic excellence. Schools should serve families, not lie to them. Families don’t exist to donate their children to the education system.

Schools should promote mutual respect and understanding, not foster an intolerant and hostile outlook. College campuses have shut down free speech, allowed disruptive advocacy of genocide toward an ethnic and religious minority, and suffered an overall breakdown of civility. Colorado is on a similar course and must change.

If a school has five, ten, or more years of educational decline, parents should have the freedom to remove their child. We can take the funds allotted to students attending failing schools and allow parents, free from governmental intrusion, to provide for their child’s education. Periodic testing will provide accountability as students must demonstrate proficiency in reading, mathematics, science, etc. that is at least equivalent to the rates of their respective public school.

It’s about the children, not the system or big money donors. Children deserve a safe, free, prosperous, civil, and hopeful future. Parents must have the capacity to make educational choices. Our future will be brighter when we tackle the tough issues in significant ways. The time for making excuses is over.

Vote for me and I will advocate for our children like no other.

Steve Ferrante

electstevecolorado.com

Estes Park