"The current governor, who is a Republican, has worked hard to try to increase educational choices available to parents," he said. "The current education commissioner (in the state of New Hampshire) has worked very hard to increase parental choice in education," he said.
"And they're being criticized, thoroughly criticized (...) by the leaders of the Democratic Party for this."
Other experts and commentators in favor of school choice and parental rights were similarly critical of the senator's comments.
"Parents have the right, and duty, to make decisions about their child's education - simply because they are parents," Mary Rice Hasson, director of the Catholic Women's Forum, told CNA.
"The Church teaches that parents are the primary educators of their children-- regardless of the parents' education level. There's no asterisk that says a college degree or PhD is required. Parents fulfill this responsibility out of love, with an eye towards the deepest needs of the child, spiritual as well as intellectual formation," she added.
"Opposition to educational freedom is often rooted in the paternalistic belief that disadvantaged families aren't capable of making good choices for their own children," Corey DeAngelis, the director of school choice at Reason Foundation, told CNA.
"But that's wrong--families are more likely to know what's best for their own children than bureaucrats," he added.
Dietsch's chosen example of carpenters as professionals unable to make informed choices for their children's education also drew a backlash from local business owners.
"With all due respect to the senator, I am a carpenter, and the idea that she, or any other government official, knows what's best for me or any member of my family is preposterous," Tim Hawes, owner of Perfection In Restoration in Candia, New Hampshire told NHJournal.
"I may not have a degree, but I can guarantee that when it comes to decisions regarding my family's interest I am far more educated and capable than any government official will ever be," Hawes said.
Christine Rousselle is a former DC Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. Prior to working at CNA, she was the managing web editor of Townhall.com; she has a BA in political science from Providence College.