"You have heard powerful, heartfelt testimony this morning.
I offer a Win-Win solution. We are faced with an opportunity to join together on behalf of all children's education. It is difficult for teachers to be faced with such a wide range of ability in their classrooms.
Children not engaged may cause disruption or be assigned to the safe seat. It all takes away from instruction time. Curriculum changes may add to difficulties for some children in the classroom.

Parents unhappy with curriculum have sought remedy in the courts. Some parents are opposed to the sexualization of children at school. Some parents prefer a back-to-basics reading and math curriculum. Some parents are opposed to gender inclusiveness in bath and locker rooms. 

There really isn't a middle ground with these issues.

They are too far apart.

Providing parents just a portion of the education dollars which would have gone to the school would enable those parents to choose student learning options which best meet the needs of their student. Those parents who seek different curriculum and environment for their student would benefit teachers, classroom and environment they disagree with; by their withdrawal.

Nebraska Academic Savings Accounts would provide the means for parents who seek to opt out of present school practices, to have other options. Nebraska Academic Savings Accounts is an 8-page draft of legislation available to all on the internet. 

I urge you to join those parents; contact your senator and let them know how this will benefit schools and students both.

Thank you,
Deb Andrews  

In researching choices for our state and the city I live in, my recommendation would be charter schools.

Erin Duffy of the World Herald Bureau reported on February 18, 2015, that Nebraska lawmakers greet backers of charter schools with skepticism and tough questions. One of the questions is: with what FUNDS?

Answer:  state and federal dollars, because the money follows the student.

Nebraska is one of just eight states that does not have laws authorizing charter schools, which are independent, taxpayer-funded schools typically run by private groups or companies.

I recommend charter schools for the State of Nebraska and to all of our cities including the city of Lincoln where I live. Charter schools are public schools of choice, meaning that families choose them for their children.  They operate with freedom from some of the regulations that are imposed upon district schools. Charter schools are accountable for academic results and for upholding the promises made in their charters. They must demonstrate performance in the areas of academic achievement, financial management and organizational stability.  

Charter schools can vary a great deal in their designs and in their results.  Uncommon schools create schools based on their principles and practices. There are now more than 6,000 public charter schools serving more than 2.3 million students in 44 states & the District of Columbia.  There are more than 600,000 children on waiting lists nationwide wanting the opportunity to attend a charter school.

Also we the taxpayers contribute over 61% of our property taxes to the Lincoln Public School and ESU 18 budget, but we don't have much say regarding the content and methodologies of their teaching. The State law makers need to research and view information allowing us as taxpayers to open charter schools to teach and train our children without an emphasis on social issues that don't contribute to academic success.

We have highly educated parents, teachers and independent businesses in our state and communities that are capable of creating and managing charter schools for our children.  We need CHOICES!

LaRae Eifert is a Mother, Nana, Businesswoman and Defender of our Constitutional Rights and Moral Values. She lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.