Some School Choice Advice From…Brangelina? (And Other Celebrities!)

There are many stars of entertainment who have voiced support for expanded educational options. In sports, we’re happy to have an ally in Brian Jordan, the former Atlanta Braves outfielder and Atlanta Falcons safety who attended our 2011 National Policy Summit, as well as the likes of singers Ginuwine and Mya in the music business. But what about in Hollywood?

We can’t say were aware of this until, well, today, but apparently Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt support school choice! They’re even going to be exercising that choice by homeschooling their own kids (which should be quite the workload, considering there are six of them!), according to a recent interview with The Independent, a UK-based newspaper. Jolie spoke about some of her own frustrations with a one-size-fits-all approach to education, the New York Daily News reports:

I wish there was a book every parent could read that tells you how to navigate through the school system, and how to tailor the education system for your children and their interests...I do think we live in a different age and the education system hasn't caught up with our children and our way of life...I feel that there's got to be a new way to tailor things more directly to our children.

It's refreshing to see stars with the stature held by Jolie and Pitt committing themselves to important causes. In addition to being two of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood, the couple is known for their work helping disadvantaged kids via humanitarian efforts overseas.

Support for alternative educational options is key to making sure low-income students are given the same opportunities afforded to more affluent Americans. Just yesterday, it was reported that City Coucilmen in Washington, D.C. who opposed the highly-successful D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program do not send their kids to the city's public schools, thereby exercising the same choice that they sought to deny the city's low-income families.

While we're on the subject of celebrities, we thought you might enjoy the video below on the struggling Cleveland Public School system featuring, among others, actor Drew Carey!



- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MAG