A child's destiny should not be determined by his or her zip code.

But throughout most of the U.S., students are assigned to public schools based upon where they live -- with few or no alternatives. And because of this, too many kids are forced to attend chronically failing schools.

All students should have access to excellent schools, but more importantly, EVERY school should be excellent.

We need to develop and encourage innovative learning models, invest in what we know works, and ensure adequate funding. We must remove other barriers to choice, including charter school caps, so parents can have options.

Whether a school is a traditional public school or a public charter school, all must be high performers. This means they should be accountable for performance, should use the best methods and tools available, and should base their decisions on what's in the best interest of our children.