Nevada Mom: ESA lawsuits could force my son back into failing school

As a single parent living paycheck to paycheck, I never thought I could afford a private school, however, the Education Savings Accounts allow this to happen. If they take away ESAs, they will prevent my son from obtaining an exceptional education and return him to a learning environment that does not meet his needs.

Glynis Gallegos quote

 

Today’s post is by Glynis Gallegos. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is the single parent of three children.

Her youngest, Dmeire, is attending fifth grade at a private school. Glynis and her family are counting on Education Savings Accounts to come through next year to help cover the cost of her son’s education, just like the state promised. Learn more at DropTheSuitNV.org.


My hopes and dreams for my son, Dmeire, aren’t unusual or unrealistic. I want him to be able to graduate from high school, earn a scholarship, attend college and choose a successful and fulfilling career.

But for this to happen tomorrow, he needs a good education today. This is where things get tricky. And where Education Savings Accounts could save the day.

DmeireI’m a single parent of three children. Two have graduated from our local school district, and my youngest is currently a fifth grader.

When my two oldest were in school, I experienced a lot of frustration with the teachers and administration in our local district. Their schools didn’t ensure my kids learned or even contact me when they struggled so I could team up with their teachers to help. If my kids didn’t understand classwork, the teachers simply gave them low grades and moved on.

Their teachers weren’t involved and didn’t offer feedback on my children’s progress. So, rather than watching my children flourish, get excited about learning and explore new interests, we struggled year after year to simply reach the next grade. In the end, they barely graduated from high school.

From this experience, I realized I did not want the same outcome for my youngest, Dmeire.

So when I saw him begin to struggle in his public school, I knew I needed to act before it was too late. I heard about Education Savings Accounts and applied immediately. The state promised ESAs would be available in 2016, and we didn’t waste any time finding a school that will meet Dmeire’s needs.

This fall, he is attending a private school, Anderson Academy of Math and Science. It has longer classroom hours, mandatory summer school, a strong curriculum and high expectations for all students. Best of all, Dmeire’s teachers, Drs. Tamara and DaJuane Anderson, spend time with him to ensure he understands the coursework and isn’t falling behind.

In a matter of weeks, I noticed the change. From grammar to mathematics, he’s improving rapidly. And because he understands what his teachers are sharing in the classroom, he is able to complete homework without the frustration that plagued us in the past.

This school is working for my son. He is thriving. But there are some who would remove him from his new school and force him back in the same school system that failed his older siblings.

Right now, there are lawsuits challenging Nevada’s Education Savings Account program and threatening to take away life-changing choices from parents. I can only hope those who are trying to stop the ESA program haven’t thought through the full implications of their actions.

As a single parent living paycheck to paycheck, I never thought I could afford a private school, however, the Education Savings Accounts allow this to happen. If they take away ESAs, they will prevent my son from obtaining an exceptional education and return him to a learning environment that does not meet his needs.

We can’t let that happen. My son, and all of Nevada’s students, deserve better.

About the Author: Glynis Gallegos lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is the single parent of three children. Her youngest, Dmeire, is attending fifth grade at a private school. Glynis and her family are counting on Education Savings Accounts to come through next year to help cover the cost of her son’s education, just like the state promised.


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Visit DropTheSuitNV.org to join the coalition
and help protect ESAs for Nevada families!

 

 

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