Rising above the rhetoric Why school choice is the best choice By Shawn Friedenberger, Manager of Communications, Association of Independent Schools & Colleges in Alberta
O
ne of the most profound choices a parent can make to set their child up for success is choosing
Simply put, choice is a good thing. In
Another myth that still presents itself
fact, it is everything when one considers
is that cutting funding to independent
making some of the most important
schools would “save” the government
decisions in life, including where your
hundreds of millions of dollars – the
the right school. In Alberta, independent
child is educated. Yet there are many
facts do not bear this out. Research has
schools strengthen and expand on
myths that still exist about independent
consistently indicated that independent
the choices available to parents in the
schools. A notable myth is that they
schools have saved the taxpayer
public system. That’s why, since 1958,
are only for the wealthy few. However,
hundreds of millions of dollars, with
various reports and statistics have
one research paper putting the amount
refuted that argument. For example, 82
at $750 million dollars over a five-year
per cent of Alberta families who choose
period. The math is in fact relatively
to send their child to an independent
simple. All Albertan taxpayers contribute
school have the same income as families
tax dollars to the cause of educating
at public schools. Furthermore, many
children in Alberta. Independent schools
independent school families make
receive around $5,000 per child per year
focus, upholds certain religious values,
considerable financial sacrifices to cover
of this tax money; public and separate
or provides extra care for a child with
any extra costs in order to access an
schools received around $13,000 in
additional needs, AISCA’s member
education option where their children
education grants, capital investments
schools are there as an option.
are thriving.
and transportation dollars to educate
the Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta (AISCA) has championed independent schools as excellent choices available to parents across the province. If a student requires a school that has a particular academic
12 Alberta School Counsellor / Fall 2022
