Matt Has a Choice — Shouldn't We?

Matt Damon is moving his family to Hollywood and recognized—like many of us have—how important it is to find just the right school for our kids. His decision to now avoid rather than embrace public schools, however, seems to indicate that what he once thought "unquantifiable" just two years ago is now something measurable. What has changed and has he betrayed his mother?

Mr. Damon and his spouse have elected to send their children to a private school "that most matches the public education that [he] had, but that kind of progressive education no longer exists in the public system." This decision apparently was not made lightly, as seen in this excerpt from the recent Guardian interview with him about his cross-country move—

Choosing a school has already presented a major moral dilemma. "Sending our kids in my family to private school was a big, big, big deal. And it was a giant family discussion. But it was a circular conversation, really, because ultimately we don't have a choice. I mean, I pay for a private education and I'm trying to get the one that most matches the public education that I had, but that kind of progressive education no longer exists in the public system. It's unfair." Damon has campaigned against teachers' pay being pegged to children's test results: "So we agitate about those things, and try to change them, and try to change the policy, but you know, it's a tough one."

Two thoughts and questions come to mind.

The first is that it was just two years ago this week that Mr. Damon made national headlines on the National Mall just down the road in D.C. while defending public school teachers (including his mom) against what he and many see as unwarranted criticism about current education quality and attempts to measure teacher effectiveness. In this video from that appearance, he says he wouldn't trade his public school education experience for "anything" and that he "had incredible teachers." In reaction to the increase in standardized testing and its use to evaluate teacher performance, Mr. Damon asserts that "None of the qualities who made me who I am can be tested," echoing the familiar refrain of many who claim that what teachers do is not easily quantifiable.

One obvious question for Matt, then, is, "What method did you use to determine that the Los Angeles area public schools lack that "unquantifiable" je nais ce quois that was so important to you in your Wonder Years? I certainly agree that using end-of-course exams as the primary (or only) criterion for evaluating teachers and schools is ridiculous, but it seems to me that in the past two years Matt Damon has decided that there is indeed a "test" that determines which education environment is best for children and their families.

What changed your mind, Matt? (And please share your quality calculus.)

The second thought (and consequent question) has to do with fairness and education diversity. In The Guardian interview, Mr. Damon states that the kind of education he fondly remembers "no longer exists in the public system." This statement, of course, seems to support the sentiments of many millions who feel that the zip-code-schools their children are forced to go to don't meet their needs and desires and would appear to evidence a mind-change. Matt—rightly—states that "it's unfair" the public schools available to his three children aren't what they want.

The other obvious question for Matt, then, is, "How is that fair for the rest of us who can't afford private schools for our children?" Aren't you now saying that those who "agitate about those things, and try to change them, and try to change the policy" might have a point?

You're right, Matt: It is "a tough one."