Charleston, WV (Wowk) – the legislator returns to the Statehouse here in West Virginia. Since governor Patrick Morrisey made support for school selection, the topic could return to the debate during this legislative period.
Since 2022, the parents of West Virginia have more than just public education for their children. The Geria Funds School Choice and the scholarship money draw money from the State Ministry of Education.
Democrats and Republicans in the Statehouse feel different about school selection and their effects on learning.
“It definitely takes money from public schools,” said Rep. Mike Puschkin (D-Kanawha).
“What are we worried about? Learn the public school system or our children? “, Said Rep. Kathie Crouse (R-Putnam).
Crouse says she believes that choosing school offers parents alternatives to public school.
“Private school, microschools, learning pods. They call it, West Virginia has it, “said Crouse.
According to Crouse, homeschooling enables flexibility for parents and students.
“Homeschoolers can teach free how and what they want,” she said. “”
While Puschkin believes that homeschooling works for many children, he is in particular a learning model.
“Unfortunately, the biggest recipients of these vouchers are families who decide to keep their children at home in front of a computer in a virtual charter” if they sit in front of a computer. Children have to be in the classroom. “
The school selection program will expand to all students in West Virginia next year, but Pushkin believes that another topic that is involved in education should be treated in this upcoming session.
“What we should have non -partisan support is a recalculation of the school aid deformula. We have used the same system for a long time, “said Puschkin. We see how many rural areas lose their schools, so I would definitely like to take a look at the school aid formula.”
The school selection program will be expanded to expand all students in the state next year for children who go to kindergarten.
