Breakthrough Victories: A Legislative Update

The Wall Street Journal called 2011 “The Year of School Choice,” and we think 2012 is the year for breakthrough victories for children, the theme of the American Federation for Children’s third annual National Policy Summit, held earlier this month.

So what have been the breakthrough victories in 2012?  Thanks to the hard work of advocates, parents, elected officials, and many more, there are 29 private school choice programs across the nation.  And already in 2012, two new programs were created in Louisiana and Virginia and four programs were expanded in Arizona (which expanded two of its programs), Florida, and Louisiana.

Arizona

Expanded Program: Governor Jan Brewer yesterday signed legislation expanding the Education Savings Account Program.  Created in 2011, the ESA program allowed students with disabilities to use 90 percent of the state funding, taking into account grade and disability to use on a variety of educational tools including tuition, fees, testing, tutoring, and educational therapies.  With the newly enacted expansion, students attending a school or school district rated “D” of “F,” children of U.S. Military personnel, and children in foster care now qualify for the program.  ESAs are considered to be the new frontier of school choice as the program allows parents to decide how to use their child’s education dollars.

Expanded Program: In February, the Grand Canyon State also expanded the nation’s first scholarship tax credit program by doubling the amount that donors can contribute to Scholarship Tuition Organizations.  Under the expanded program, individuals can donate up to $1,000 and married couples can donate up to $2,000.  In 2011, the program was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Louisiana

Expanded Program: Last month, Governor Bobby Jindal signed the sweeping statewide expansion of the Students Scholarships for Educational Excellence into law.  The expanded program will allow students from low-income families attending persistently failing schools to attend the public or private school of their parents’ choice.  Passed with bipartisan support, House Bill 976 gives priority to students attending schools rated “D” or “F.”  It is estimated that as many as 380,000 children in Louisiana will be eligible to participate.  Originally created in 2008 for students in Orleans Parish, the program currently serves nearly 2,000 children.

Cory Booker Inspires the People of New Jersey—and Oregon

When Cory Booker spoke at the American Federation for Children’s National Policy Summit earlier this month, he not only inspired the room of education reformers, but drummed up support for the Opportunity Scholarship Act currently being considered by the New Jersey Legislature.  But it turns out that news of Cory Booker spreads—like fire (get it?!).

The Oregon Catalyst, a website for conservative Oregonians to discuss policy issues, wrote about Cory Booker inspiring change in the Beaver State.  Steve Buckstein called for supporters to make school choice a reality for students all across the nation.  Not only did he mention that Booker saved a woman from a burning house last month, but called the need to put out other fires: the reality that children are often doomed to failing schools because of their ZIP codes.

Buckstein wrote:

Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker is a larger-than-life figure fighting for what he calls the “Most Important Civil Right of All–equal access to high quality education.”

On May 4th Booker gave an inspiring keynote address before the American Federation for Children, a national school choice organization. He said his strong support for school choice stems from the options he was afforded in his own life–options denied to millions of children because their ZIP codes determine what schools they must attend.

A Black Democrat himself, Booker made it clear he is disappointed that “his president” hasn’t yet joined him in supporting school choice for every family, not just for those he calls “the connected and elected.”

Were you unable to attend our 2012 National Policy Summit?

If so, then you missed an amazing event...but you're not entirely out of luck!

We documented all the highlights of our 2012 Summit, and we want to make sure we share them with you.

At our YouTube page, you'll find links to each of our keynote addresses from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and author/commentator Juan Williams.

We also paid tribute to the late John T. Walton, the namesake for the Alliance for School Choice's annual Champions for School Choice Award, shined a light on the demand for educational options in New Jersey, and reminded folks that Parents Know Best.

There was one more video we showed at our Summit, but instead of telling you about it, we thought it'd be best to take a look yourself. Let's just say that the Summit wasn't themed "Breakthrough Victories for Children" for nothing.

We hope you enjoy!

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

Top Ten Reasons to Attend the AFC 2012 National Policy Summit

With our annual National Policy Summit beginning next week, we thought we'd give you a rundown of why we're so excited to be heading up to Jersey City next Thursday and Friday. And while David Letterman is the king of the Top 10 list, we've decided to borrow a page from his book by giving you the Top 10 reasons you should join us at the Summit.

Be sure to visit www.AFCPolicySummit.com to register or to learn more!

10: Juan Williams

He’s worked for The Washington Post, NPR, and now Fox News and he’s personally interviewed every U.S. president since President Ronald Reagan.  Juan Williams is not only one the nation’s leading journalists and political commentators, but he’s a huge supporter of school choice.  Calling school choice, ‘the civil rights issue of our time,’ we’re excited to hear what Williams has to say at our summit!

9: Jersey City

Only minutes away from New York City, Jersey City could soon be providing educational opportunities to students from low-income families and who attend the state’s worst performing public schools.  What better place to talk school choice than a city fighting to get school choice options.

8: Research

The research on school choice shows that these programs help children achieve a great education.  The AFC Policy Summit brings the nation’s premiere experts on school choice to talk about their recent findings.  Research facts on school choice will help advocates, elected officials, and supporters fight to enact and expand school choice programs across the nation.

7: John T. Walton Champion for School Choice Award

The Alliance for School Choice will present the John T. Walton Award for School Choice, an annual award for a leader in the school choice movement.  Named after the late John T. Walton, a committed philanthropist and advocate for education reform, this year’s winner exemplifies everything the award stands for, but you’ll have to come see who the winner is yourself!

6: Voices of Determination

The new book by Kevin P. Chavous, senior advisor to the American Federation for Children, chronicles the stories of ten children who have overcome adversities to get an education that transformed their lives.   Chavous will be signing copies of his new book at the Summit—a perfect fit.

Governor Chris Christie, Mayor Cory Booker Put New Jersey Children Ahead of Partisan Politics

Newark Mayor Cory Booker and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in 2010.

It's usually tough to find common ground in today's often bitterly partisan political landscape.  But two of New Jersey's most prominent chief executives are doing their best to change that. 

Instead of focusing on issues on which they don't agree, Republican Governor Chris Christie and Democratic Mayor Cory Booker -- both of whom will be giving keynote addresses at next month's AFC National Policy Summit -- may not agree on much, they do agree on providing children from low-income families the opportunity to access a quality education.  And that is something to celebrate!

While they have among the brightest futures in their respective parties, they're concerned less with running for the next office and more with working to reform New Jersey's education system for the betterment of the state's kids.

Christie has championed the Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA), which would create a corporate scholarship tax credit program for children in the state's lowest-performing school districts, since he took office in January 2010.  He's made the OSA a top priority entering the legislative session, and it's expected to be considered by the legislature later this spring.  Booker, who became Newark's mayor in 2007, last year testified passionately in favor of the OSA and has been an outspoken supporter of Christie's education reform agenda.

Arizona Leaders Tout Technology in Education

John Huppenthal, state superintendent of public instruction in Arizona and Craig Barrett, chairman of the Arizona Ready Council and former chairman and CEO of Intel, are touting for more technology in Arizona’s education.

In an editorial published in The Arizona Republic, this duo points out that Arizona leads the nation in school choice programs—there are four publicly funded private school choice programs in the state—but also demonstrates the state’s  need to up technology to better implement its education programs.

So take a look at the editorial here, but don’t forget to see Craig Barrett talk about technology and education at our 2012 National Policy Summit on May 3-4.  Registration is open to the public at www.AFCPolicySummit.com.

Register today and see Barrett, legislators, school choice researchers, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie speak!

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

Check Out a Preview of the Lineup to be Featured at our 2012 National Policy Summit!

The American Federation for Children’s National Policy Summit is just under one month away! And we have some exciting speakers lined up:

• Wisconsin Representative Jason Fields (D)

Representative Jason Fields, a Democrat representing Milwaukee, has been a strong supporter of school choice in the Badger State.  In 2011, he not only voted in favor of the expansion of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, but he also ensured that a “once in, always in” provision, which allowed participating families to remain eligible for the program despite future income growth, was included in the expansion package.

• New Jersey Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D)

Assemblyman Troy Singleton is strong supporter of the Opportunity Scholarship Act and wrote an editorial in the Times of Trenton, where he wrote why he supported this much-needed legislation:

“I am committed to ensuring that all children have that same opportunity to succeed. As we continue to strive to enhance our education system for all the state’s children, we have to consider tools such as the OSA to save as many students as we can as we pursue that goal.”

• Dr. Tony Bennett

Dr. Tony Bennett, superintendent of Indiana Public Schools helped shepherded in a new era of choice in the Hoosier State.  Under his tenure, Governor Daniels signed the Choice Scholarship Program into law.  This voucher program is the nation’s broadest voucher program in the nation and in its first year provided scholarships to nearly 4,000 students.  In addition, Bennett has seen an increase in graduation rates in the state for the fifth consecutive year.

• Georgia Representative Rahn Mayo (D)

This Democrat not only supports school choice, he put his words behind his actions this year when Mayo voted in support of Senate Bill 181, which expands the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program—a voucher program for students with special needs.  In the 2011-12 school year, the program served nearly 3,000 students. 

• Dr. Arlene Ackerman

Dr. Arlene Ackerman has over 40 years of experience in the public school system as a teacher, principal, and, most recently, a superintendent of the 10th largest school district in the United States. An ardent supporter of public education, she has worked tirelessly to improve public schools on opposite ends of the country, in and out of the classroom. But Arlene Ackerman realizes that many public schools aren’t serving the children in their buildings, and for them, another option is necessary. That’s why the former superintendent surprised many in the education establishment when she forcefully endorsed school choice, even going as far as calling access to a quality education “the civil rights battle of our generation.”

Bringing Technology and Education Together at the AFC Policy Summit

We’ve already announced that renowned journalist andpolicy analyst Juan Williams will be speaking at our third annual National Policy Summit in May. But this week, we announced another exciting speaker who is dedicated to education reform with -- this time, with a technological edge.

Retired Intel Corporation CEO and board chairman Craig Barrett has gone from business tycoon to education advocate, working nowadays to improve education across the United States by improving technology in America’s schools.

Barrett served as chairman of the board of Intel Corporation from 2005 until 2009. Prior to his position as chairman, he served as CEO of the organization for seven years to go along with 35 years as an employee of Intel.

Since leaving Intel Corporation, Barrett has transitioned into the world of education reform, where he is president and chairman of BASIS School Inc., an Arizona-based network of seven charter schools currently operating and three slated to open in the 2012-13 school year.  Barrett also serves as chairman of Achieve, Inc., an organization dedicated to standards-based education reform efforts, and chairman of Change the Equation, a national coalition of CEOs seeking to expand literacy in science, technology, engineering, and math.

In his home state of Arizona, Barrett also is a member of the Governor’s Arizona Ready Education Council.  And Arizona is dedicated to school choice, being the home of four private school choice programs.  In fact, earlier this week, Governor Jan Brewer signed legislation increasing the amount of maximum allowabledonations to the state’s Individual School Tuition Organization Tax CreditProgram, a move that is expected to increase access to the nation’s oldest scholarship tax credit program.

To see Juan Williams, Craig Barrett, and many more at the American Federation Policy Summit, register here.  But hurry, space is limited!

The American Federation for Children National Policy Summit, School Choice Now: Breakthrough Victories for Children, will bring together the nation’s premiere policy experts, advocates, and champions of school choice to discuss the significant growth of school choice in 2011 as well as the prospects for even greater expansion in 2012. 

The summit will be held on May 3-4 in Jersey City.  For more information, visit www.AFCPolicySummit.com.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG & RMS

Juan Williams on Parental Choice in the Windy City

We told you before that Juan Williams—one of the nation’s leading journalists, commentators, and political analysts—will deliver an address on school choice at the American Federation for Children’s third annual National Policy Summit (Register at www.afcpolicysummit.com) in May, but Williams is already touting the importance of parental options three months (to the day!) before the Summit begins.

In conjunction with the Education Action Group Foundation, Williams created a short movie, entitled "A Tale of Two Missions," on parental choice in Chicago. It focused on two important topics: what elected officials are doing to improve Chicago’s schools and what others are doing to prevent meaningful reform.

In what is something of a preview for what you'll hear at our Summit, Williams stresses the importance of school vouchers, charter schools, and empowering parents. Though it's not home to a private school choice program, the Land of Lincoln has strong charter schools in the Windy City, a fact that Williams found out firsthand when he visited Noble Charter Network—a place home to a 99 percent graduation rate.

The school is so focused on the success of its students that it has what's called "Alumni Hall." Principal Bill Olsen takes Williams down the hallway, which is dedicated to graduates by displaying the school banners where they've gone to further their education.

Announcing Juan Williams as a Speaker at AFC's 2012 National Policy Summit

Juan Williams, a leading political journalist, will
speak at AFC's 2012 National Policy Summit in NJ.

BIG news about our upcoming National Policy Summit 2012: Breakthrough Victories for Children (for which you can register at www.afcpolicysummit.com)! We're pleased to announce that renowned journalist Juan Williams will be a featured speaker at the event, scheduled for Thursday, May 3 and Friday, May 4, 2012 at the Westin Jersey City Newport.

All the full Summit details can be found on our registration page, but read all the details about Williams below:

Juan Williams—one of the nation’s leading journalists, commentators, and political analysts—will deliver an address on school choice at the American Federation for Children’s third annual National Policy Summit, held on May 3 and 4 in Jersey City, New Jersey. 

Williams will give a keynote speech on the importance of educational options, which he has called the “civil rights issue of our time,” at the third annual summit hosted by the American Federation for Children—the nation’s voice for school choice. 

The summit, titled School Choice Now: Breakthrough Victories for Children, will bring together the nation’s premiere policy experts, advocates, and champions of school choice.   

Williams is the author of six books, a renowned writer and journalist, and currently serves as a political commentator for Fox News.  He previously hosted “Talk of the Nation” and “America’s Black Forum” on National Public Radio and worked as a political columnist, editorial writer, and White House correspondent for more than 20 years at The Washington Post.  

Read the full release here. Find out more about last year's Summit here, and be sure to keep your eyes here for all the latest info on additional speakers, guests, and agenda items!

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