Where We Are, Where We're Going, and a Happy (Early) Independence Day!

We'll be taking a break during the long holiday weekend, so we at School Choice Now! just wanted to wish you a very Happy Fourth of July, wherever you are. Our Independence Day is a time to celebrate where we are as a country, as well as where we're going.

To that end, we wanted to do the same when it comes to school choice. We've already told you about the record number of states considering school choice legislation this year, but now that we're right at the halfway point, we wanted to let you know just how significant our 2011 progress has been. It has truly been a historic year.

We here at School Choice Now! are all about context, so here's some from our chairman, Betsy Devos:

This has been a significant year for educational freedom nationwide. To put these victories in perspective: it took the school choice movement 20 years to enact the first 20 private school choice programs. In just the first half of 2011, legislatures across the country have enacted seven more programs, demonstrating that this year is truly 'the year of school choice.'

We couldn't have said it any better ourselves. So on this, the eve of our celebration of Independence, we wanted to thank you for all your work throughout 2011. Though we've got much more to do in the second half of the year, we're proud of all that's been done to open up so many educational options to so many students around the country in need.

In the spirit of the sentiments embodied by our Independence Day and what makes our country great—acceptance, freedom, and understanding—take a look at a recent video starring our own Kevin P. Chavous. The former D.C. Councilman sits down with the Rumi Forum, an organization that fosters interfaith and intercultural dialogue, where he discusses why our work is so important.

From the entire American Federation for Children, Happy Fourth of July!



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