Scholarships gave kids chance to succeed

After reading William M. Sneed's letter Nov. 14 "Union stymied program"), I pondered my own academic and professional journey.

I attended CPS as a student and eventually taught in both private schools and in public education. When I entered college in 1980, I quickly realized that I lacked the necessary skill set and foundation of knowledge to succeed in comparison with contemporaries who attended suburban school districts or private schools.

When I commenced teaching in an affluent suburban school district, I mentored several students over the years who migrated from the Chicago Public School system. It became very apparent that they were inadequately prepared for the academic rigors and challenges thrust upon them.

Fast forward to 2023, I find it highly curious that politicians and union leaders who vigorously condemn the "Invest in Kids" scholarships as a school voucher pretentiously siphoning money from public education invariably sent their children to private schools (e.g., Gov. J.B. Pritzker and CTU President Stacy Davis Gates).

When I taught in an affluent public school district, I frequently reiterated to my students that every child should be granted the same academic opportunities to thrive and succeed. Sadly, the academic playing field is uneven for many students forced to attend inferior CPS schools or poor-performing suburban schools.

Invest in Kids was a tax credit that afforded poor families the opportunity to provide their child an optimal learning experience. Every parent regardless of their socio-economic status should be afforded the financial flexibility in bestowing their child an optimal education. Besides, increased competition would invariably force underperforming schools to "step up their game."

As history has shown, monopolies do not create equal opportunities for all stakeholders to thrive. Simply stated, every child deserves the educational possibility to succeed.

Lawrence E. Bonk

Roselle