Why I Believe in Educational Choice — and Strong Public Schools
by Fred Deutsch
I believe parents should have the freedom to choose the educational path that is right for their children — whether that means enrolling in any public school district, choosing a private school, or homeschooling. These are rights parents already have under South Dakota law, and they reflect a simple truth: parents know their children better than any government system ever will.
Educational decisions should begin with families, guided by their values, their child’s needs, and what they believe will best prepare their children for the future.
I also support Governor Rhoden opting South Dakota into the new federal education choice program. Under this program, any taxpayer can receive a federal tax credit — a direct reduction of their federal tax liability — for contributions made to organizations that provide educational scholarships. Those scholarships can then be used by families for a variety of educational purposes, including alternative schools, supplemental instruction, and other educational supports.
What I do not support is using state tax dollars to pay for private education or homeschooling. I oppose that no more than I would support using state highway dollars to build or maintain a driveway on private land. State education dollars should remain focused on maintaining and improving the public education system that serves the vast majority of South Dakota children.
It is also true that public school test scores are stagnating or declining — and in many cases, the results are unacceptable. That has to change. Our public schools must do better at reaching more children and preparing them for life after graduation.
One shift I believe would help is moving toward a system that advances students based on mastery, not just seat time. Children should move forward when they demonstrate they understand the material, not simply because the calendar says the school year has ended. Likewise, students should advance to the next grade when they have mastered the subject matter, not simply because they occupied a desk for nine months. A mastery-based approach better serves students with different learning styles and prepares them more effectively for college, technical training, or the workforce.
But schools cannot fix everything on their own. Society — you and I — have to do better too. As social problems increase around us, we cannot expect teachers to also serve as full-time social workers while managing growing behavioral challenges in the classroom. At the same time, courts and juvenile services are often under-resourced and unable to provide the level of intervention and support that struggling children truly need. Education reform must be paired with stronger families, better support systems, and accountability across government.
Parents choose homeschooling or private schools for many reasons. Some want a religious education. Others want a smaller or more structured learning environment, or want to avoid persistent behavioral disruptions that interfere with learning. My wife and I made that decision ourselves — we sent our four children to Immaculate Conception School for grades K–6 because we wanted them educated in a faith-based environment that reinforced the values we were teaching at home.
Homeschooling has grown significantly in South Dakota in recent years. Since the 2015–16 school year, homeschool enrollment has increased by approximately 143 percent, rising from just over 4,300 students to more than 10,500 today. Even with that growth, homeschool students still make up only about 6.5 percent of all K–12 students in the state. Private school students account for roughly 8 to 9 percent, while more than 80 percent of South Dakota students continue to be educated in public schools.
Those numbers matter. They remind us that while parental choice is important and should be respected, public education remains the backbone of opportunity for most South Dakota families.
The goal should not be to weaken public schools, but to strengthen them. That means raising standards, supporting teachers, partnering honestly with parents, and reforming outdated systems so every child has the opportunity to succeed — regardless of zip code, income level, or learning style.
Education policy should reflect both freedom and responsibility: freedom for parents to choose what is best for their children, and responsibility on the part of the state to ensure our public schools are strong, effective, and focused on student success. That balance — not ideology — is what will best serve South Dakota’s children and communities for generations to come.
Welcome back to another Weekly Round[s] Up. The Senate remained full speed ahead this past week to finish up a few items before the end of the year. To cap off a historic year in the Senate, we confirmed 97 of President Trump’s nominees to positions within the executive branch. This brings our total for nominees confirmed in 2025 to 417, outpacing confirmations during President Biden’s term and even President Trump’s first term. We also passed the 2026 