Shapiro says ‘real freedom’ starts with public schools

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.  Kamala Harris | Facebook Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. Kamala Harris | Facebook

(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Wednesday that Democrats support the “kind of freedom” that starts in the classroom.

Specifically, the public school classroom.

“You know what Democrats? We are the party of real freedom,” Shapiro said from the Democratic National Convention stage in Chicago. “The kind of real freedom that comes when that child attends a great public school with an awesome teacher because we believe in her future.”

The first-term governor went on to describe the other “real freedoms” found in the party platform, from organized labor to reproductive rights to marriage equality.

“We value our freedom,” Shapiro said. “We cherish our democracy and we love this country.”

Noticeably absent from his five-minute speech, however, was any mention of school choice. Shapiro’s longstanding support for educational scholarships and tax credits puts him at odds with the party establishment; though Pennsylvania only offers the latter program, Shapiro has said he’s willing to support vouchers if a bill makes it to his desk.

Therein lies the rub: Democrats, who control the House, say school choice diverts taxpayer dollars to private institutions. Republicans, who control the Senate, say spending more on public schools every year has not improved educational outcomes for students living in struggling districts.

While Shapiro agrees with Republicans, he’s been unwilling to broker a compromise. The dynamic led to a dramatic breakdown in bipartisanship during the latter half of 2023.

And, despite little movement on educational scholarships since, the governor’s supportive comments on the matter drew renewed criticism once Vice President Kamala Harris moved him to the short list for potential running mates.

Shapiro said on Aug. 8 that Harris’s ultimate choice, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, was a good one, before adding that he, too, had “a deeply personal” choice to make, though he didn’t elaborate further on the matter.

On Wednesday night, however, the past appeared long behind him.

“And listen, despite our challenges, hear me on this,” he said to the convention crowd. “I want you to know that I have never been more hopeful because I see in all of you the enduring promise of America.”

Christen Smith follows Pennsylvania’s General Assembly for The Center Square. She is an award-winning reporter with more than a decade of experience covering state and national policy issues for niche publications and local newsrooms alike.

This article was republished with permission from The Center Square.

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3 thoughts on “Shapiro says ‘real freedom’ starts with public schools”

  1. Perhaps accepting boatloads of contributions from teachers’ unions, he discovered that votes matter, children’s education does not. Great public schools do not begin with campaign contributions and union votes. Perhaps he should explain why, after great ministrations of money, public school students are still struggling academically. As to the argument that charter schools, school vouchers and other mechanisms for educational options take away from public schools is, frankly, a crock. I can recall going to public schools in an era where there were other schools at work, primarily Catholic schools, but also Jewish schools and “bible schools” which with our parent’s consent, had us leave class early in the afternoon one day a week to attend. I can’t recall our schools suffering from lack of funds because of these entities.

    1. George, it is even worse than you might want to know. Remember all of that Covid money that went to buying “food” for each child regardless of if they showed up to take it? Who won those contracts and how were they awarded? Any extra surpluses were unable to go to food banks because of the way it was all packaged. Public schools’ primary goals are not aligned with what you expect. They are designed to teach people to rely on the government, and they have indoctrination classes (they call them guidance, etc.) to teach communism. School is very different than when you attended.

  2. Public school freedom means they’ll be in charge of your child’s decisions – not you the parent.
    And they’ll be in charge of the curriculum, not you the taxpayer.
    And they’ll decide when school is open, not you the taxpayer.
    And they’ll decide what bathroom or locker room a child can use, not you.
    Teacher unions and PAC money from them need to be banned.

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