A Crucial Conversation on Education: Tune in to Upcoming Congressional Testimony

As the landscape of education continues to evolve, the conversation around education remains at the forefront of policy and public debate. It’s a topic that touches on the core of our values about education, equity, and the right of every child to a quality education. On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 10:15 a.m. EST, I will have the honor of contributing to this vital conversation based on my decades of scholarly inquiry as I testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. The hearing, titled “Proven Results: Highlighting the Benefits of Charter Schools for Students and Families,” promises to be a pivotal moment in our ongoing dialogue about the role of school choice in our education system.

Why This Matters

The hearing is set against the backdrop of increasing debates over the efficacy, equity, and future direction of charter schools in America. As scholar of educational equity and reform, I plan to delve into my publications and research on the complexities of charter school policies, their impacts on communities of color, and the broader implications for public education across the country. This is more than just an academic discussion; it’s about the lives and futures of millions of students.

The Power of Engagement

I firmly believe in the power of informed dialogue and community engagement in shaping the future of education. That’s why I am extending an invitation to you, my readers, to join this crucial conversation. The hearing will be open to the public and live-streamed on the Committee’s website, allowing for broad participation and access. I encourage educators, parents, students, and anyone interested in the future of our education system to tune in and hear the perspectives being shared.

What to Expect

During the hearing, I will share insights from my research and experience, highlighting the nuanced realities of charter schools and their varied impact on different communities. You can expect a very candid discussion about the challenges of charter schools, including issues of access, equity, accountability, and the role of choice in public education. Moreover, the hearing will feature a diverse panel of experts, each bringing unique viewpoints to the table, facilitating an engaging discussion on the subject.

How You Can Participate

Your voice and engagement are crucial. Here’s how you can be part of this important event:

• Watch the Live Stream: Visit the Committee’s website at https://edworkforce.house.gov to watch the hearing live.
• Get Involved in the Conversation: Use social media platforms to discuss the hearing using #CharterSchoolsHearing2024. Share your thoughts, questions, and insights.
• Stay Informed: After the hearing, I will share a detailed blog post on Cloaking Inequity, reflecting on the testimony and outlining next steps in our collective journey towards educational equity.

This hearing is a vital opportunity for all of us to engage with and influence the conversation on education policy. By coming together, listening, and sharing our diverse perspectives, we can work towards an educational system that truly serves all its students. I look forward to your participation and to continuing this important dialogue with you.

– Julian Vasquez Heilig

School Choice Scholarship

FIRST AND SINGLE AUTHORED ARTICLES IN PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS (*REFEREED/PEER-REVIEWED)

Vasquez Heilig. J., Brewer, J. and Williams, Y. (2019). Choice without inclusion?: Comparing the intensity of racial segregation in charters and public schools at the local, state and national levels. Journal of Education Sciences, 9(3), 1-17.*  

Vasquez Heilig, J. & Clark, B. (2018). New insights and directions: Considering the impact of charter school attributes on communities of color, Journal of Transformative Leadership and Policy Studies, 7(1), 3-9.*  

Vasquez Heilig, J. (2013). Reframing the refrain: Choice as a Civil Rights issue. Texas Education Review. 1(1), 83-94.* 

Vasquez Heilig, J., Williams, A., McNeil, L & Lee, C. (2011). Is choice a panacea? An analysis of black secondary student attrition from KIPP, other private charters and urban districts. Berkeley Review of Education, 2(2), 153-178.* 

FIRST AND CO-AUTHORED ARTICLES IN LAW REVIEWS

Vasquez Heilig, J., Nelson, S., & Kronzer, M. (2018). Does the African American need separate charter schools? Law & Inequality: A Journal of Theory and Practice, 36(2), 247-267. 

Vasquez Heilig, J. Holme, J., LeClair, A. V., Redd, L., & Ward, D. (2016). Separate and unequal?: The problematic segregation of special populations in charter schools relative to traditional public schools. Stanford Law & Policy Review, 27(2), 251-293. 

CO-AUTHORED ARTICLES IN PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS (*REFEREED/PEERREVIEWED)

Portales, J., & Vasquez Heilig, J. (2015). Understanding universal vouchers and urban public schools in Santiago de Chile: Educational administrators’ responses to choice. Multidisciplinary Journal of Educational Research, 5(2), 194-237.*  

Portales, J. & Vasquez-Heilig, J. (2014). Understanding how universal vouchers have impacted urban school districts’ enrollment in Chile. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 22(68). Retrieved from http://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/article/view/1427/1314*

BOOK CHAPTERS

Vasquez Heilig, J. (2021). Scrutinizing the school choice Equity Ethos for Black parents. In D. Berliner & C. Hermanns (Eds.), Public Education: The Cornerstone of American Democracy, (pp. XX-XX). New York, NY: Teachers College Press. 

Vasquez Heilig, J,. Brewer, T.J. & White, T. (2018). What Instead?: Reframing the debate about charter schools, Teach For America, and testing. In R. Ahlquist, P. Gorski and T. Montano (Eds.), Assault on Kids and Teachers: Countering privatization, deficit ideologies and standardization of U.S. schools, (pp. 201-217) New York: Peter Lang. 

HANDBOOKS

Vasquez Heilig. J., Brewer, J. & Adamson, F. (2019). The politics of market-based school choice research: A comingling of ideology, methods and funding, In M. Berends, A. Primus and M. Springer (Eds.) Handbook of Research on School Choice, 2nd (pp. 335-350). New York, NY: Routledge.* 

EDUCATION POLICY REPORTS, BRIEFS, AND FIELD PUBLICATIONS

Vasquez Heilig, J. (2018). NEPC Review: “Bigger Bang, Fewer Bucks?” (University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform, February 2018). Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.

Vasquez Heilig, J., LeClair, A.V., Lemke, M., & McMurrey, A. (2014). Remarkable or poppycock?: Lessons from school voucher research and data. Austin, TX: Texas Center for Education Policy, University of Texas at Austin.  

Vasquez Heilig, J. & Portales. (2012). Are vouchers a panacea?: Data from international implementation.Austin, TX: The Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis, University of Texas at Austin.  

School Choice Scholarship Descriptions

•  FIRST AND SINGLE AUTHORED ARTICLES IN PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS (*REFEREED/PEER-REVIEWED)
• Choice without inclusion? (2019) by Vasquez Heilig, J., Brewer, J., and Williams, Y. explores the extent of racial segregation in charter versus public schools across various geographies. This study critically examines whether school choice leads to inclusive educational environments or exacerbates segregation. 
•  New insights and directions (2018) by Vasquez Heilig, J., & Clark, B. analyzes the impact of charter school policies on communities of color, offering a nuanced look at how these schools affect diverse populations and suggesting pathways for creating more equitable educational opportunities. 
•  Reframing the refrain: Choice as a Civil Rights issue (2013) by Vasquez Heilig, J. argues that school choice should be viewed through a civil rights lens, challenging the notion that choice inherently leads to better outcomes for marginalized communities and calling for a reevaluation of choice policies.
•  Is choice a panacea? (2011) by Vasquez Heilig, J., Williams, A., McNeil, L., & Lee, C. scrutinizes the effectiveness of charter schools and KIPP programs, particularly focusing on attrition rates among black students, questioning the efficacy of choice as an educational reform strategy. 
• CO-AUTHORED ARTICLES IN PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS (*REFEREED/PEERREVIEWED) 
•  Understanding universal vouchers and urban public schools in Santiago de Chile (2015) by Portales, J., & Vasquez Heilig, J. investigates the response of educational administrators to school choice in the context of Santiago, Chile, providing insights into the global implications of voucher systems. 
•  Understanding how universal vouchers have impacted urban school districts’ enrollment in Chile (2014) by Portales, J. & Vasquez-Heilig, J. examines the effects of voucher systems on school enrollment patterns in Chile, offering a comprehensive look at the consequences of market-based educational reforms. 
•  FIRST AND CO-AUTHORED ARTICLES IN LAW REVIEWS 
•  Does the African American need separate charter schools? (2018) by Vasquez Heilig, J., Nelson, S., & Kronzer, M. critically examines the proposition of African American-specific charter schools as a solution to educational disparities, analyzing the legal, social, and educational implications.
•  Separate and unequal? (2016) by Vasquez Heilig, J., Holme, J., LeClair, A. V., Redd, L., & Ward, D. delves into the segregation issues within charter schools, comparing them to traditional public schools and highlighting the challenges special populations face in these environments. 
•  BOOK CHAPTERS 
•  Scrutinizing the school choice Equity Ethos for Black parents (2021) by Vasquez Heilig, J. critiques the equity claims of school choice advocates, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of Black parents navigating these systems. 
•  What Instead?: Reframing the debate about charter schools, Teach For America, and testing (2018) by Vasquez Heilig, J., Brewer, T.J., & White, T. challenges mainstream narratives around educational reform, proposing alternative frameworks that prioritize equity and inclusion. 
•  HANDBOOKS 
•  The politics of market-based school choice research (2019) by Vasquez Heilig, J., Brewer, J., & Adamson, F. critically examines the intersection of ideology, methodology, and funding in school choice research, unpacking the complexities behind the push for market-based reforms. 
•  EDUCATION POLICY REPORTS, BRIEFS, AND FIELD PUBLICATIONS 
•  NEPC Review: “Bigger Bang, Fewer Bucks?” (2018) by Vasquez Heilig, J. offers a critical analysis of a report promoting the cost-effectiveness of charter schools, disputing the underlying assumptions and methodologies that charter schools are more cost effective than neighborhood public schools.
•  Remarkable or poppycock?: Lessons from school voucher research and data (2014) by Vasquez Heilig, J., LeClair, A.V., Lemke, M., & McMurrey, A. debunks common myths about the effectiveness of school vouchers, providing a data-driven critique of voucher policies. 
•  Are vouchers a panacea?: Data from international implementation (2012) by Vasquez Heilig, J. & Portales. explores the global impact of voucher systems on educational equity, drawing lessons from various countries’ experiences with school choice.