By Jamar Younger
Arizona parents continue to demand education freedom, and public charter schools serve as a growing number of those choices.
More than 185,900 students have enrolled in charter schools this year, with tens of thousands more waiting to attend schools at capacity.
Recently, a few of those parents have raised their voice in support of their school of choice. These parents wanted to remind the public that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to their child’s education.
Below are excerpts of opinion columns recently published in newspapers across Arizona. These stories serve as a reminder that public charter schools are a thriving sector in Arizona’s public education landscape.
TIFFANY LIDDILE
Legacy Traditional School Avondale parent Tiffany Liddile described how her daughter fell behind academically in her local district school but was able to find success at Legacy Traditional Schools’ Avondale campus. Liddile says the teachers and administrators immediately established a relationship with the family and provided everything necessary to help her daughter get ahead.
“There are tens of thousands of Arizona families just like mine, and probably just as many different reasons they’ve selected their own charter school. No two children learn the same. They have unique needs, learning styles, strengths and weaknesses. As parents, the best we can do is find the right fit for our children—and our chances of success are better if we have a full menu of quality schools to choose from. As for my family, I’m thankful we found Legacy Traditional Schools.”
MICHELLE SMET
Michelle Smet was impressed when the principal of Leading Edge Academy in east Mesa took her call directly and answered all of her questions. Smet said in an Arizona Republic letter to the editor that her children have special needs, but Leading Edge’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) team provided all resources available to help them find success.
“As parents, we all want the best for our children — especially when it comes to their education… I feel blessed that we live in a state where a parent has the right to choose their child’s place of education. I feel blessed that public charter schools are an option when district schools may not be the right environment and private schools may be financially out of reach.
But more than anything, I feel blessed that my children’s educational and behavioral needs are being sufficiently met. I am excited for the future, as I have one more child who will also attend in a few years. I know she will also be well cared for and empowered to succeed academically and in life — an opportunity made possible thanks to the freedom of school choice.”
SHANI MAKOWSKI
Imagine Schools Coolidge parent Shani Makowski told the story of how the staff her public charter school guided her family through the process of skipping her daughter from second to fourth grade, where she would receive more of a challenge.
“My ability to make an educational choice that best meets the needs of my children has allowed them to grow and thrive. My story — my voice — is one of gratitude to choose Imagine Schools in Coolidge, where my children receive exactly what they need to achieve.”
TAYLOR AND BECKY PROUDFIT
Parents Taylor and Becky Proudfit were concerned their local district school wasn’t meeting their children’s individual needs. The couple wrote in the Peoria Times that they have four children who vary greatly in their academic needs and abilities, including an 11-year-old son with educational autism and a daughter who is an accelerated learner. Candeo Schools proved to be a perfect fit for their children.
“We – as charter school parents – feel compelled that our side of the story be heard… We are so grateful for the charter school system in Arizona, because we were able to find a school that could meet the needs of our family and the individual academic needs of our children.
