Satisfaction: Hope survey doesn’t negate need for reform
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State Treasurer Larry Pack earlier this week announced the results of the Hope Scholarship Parent Satisfaction Survey, touting a 98% satisfaction rate among families taking advantage of the program.
It would have been news if the satisfaction rate had been significantly lower, or if the survey had included ALL taxpaying West Virginia parents of school-aged children in the state.
To be fair, it is wonderful to learn the program is being administered well enough that few participating families were able to come up with complaints.
"The results of this survey reinforce what we hear every day from our Hope Scholarship families across West Virginia - parents value having the freedom to choose an education that best meets the individual needs of their children," Pack said. "A 98% satisfaction rate is an incredible reflection of the positive impact the Hope Scholarship is having on families, and it also speaks to the outstanding work of our team as they continue to provide exceptional service to participants. We would love to see another government program that is as beloved as the Hope Scholarship."
Again, while Pack has good reason to brag about the effectiveness of the program's administration, "beloved" might be a stretch when the scope is widened beyond parents who are satisfied with the program THEY wanted.
Such high satisfaction rates should not be interpreted by lawmakers as meaning guardrails do not need to be installed on Hope Scholarships, or careful protections do not need to be put in place to ensure public schools have the full funding and resources they need, too.
"The Hope Scholarship was created to put parents in the driver's seat when it comes to their child's education, and these responses show families are using that freedom in many different ways," Pack said.
Lawmakers CAN seize on that last bit. There are questions about how Hope Scholarship money is spent and who is receiving it, among other things. Reform is needed, as soon as lawmakers get a chance.