School Choice Now: 2013

@SchoolChoiceNow: Happy Holidays! Wishing you a joyous season of thanks and a new year filled with opportunities! ‪#EdChoice ‪#EdReform ‪pic.twitter.com/yqTqSKInFQ

American Federation for Children

Louisiana Scholarship Program Audit: Much Ado?

http://federationforchildren.blogspot.com/2013/12/louisiana-scholarship-program-audit.html

Journal Sentinel: Walton grant pumps $6 million into vouchers in Wisconsin, other states

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/236641681.html

Vouchers – North Carolina

Winston-Salem Journal: Chris Fitzsimon on the unaccountability movement in education

http://www.journalnow.com/opinion/columnists/article_f30a043a-69a2-11e3-83c7-001a4bcf6878.html

School Choice

Texas Public Radio: Davis Campaign Pressing Abbott On School Vouchers

http://tpr.org/post/davis-campaign-pressing-abbott-school-vouchers

Charter Schools

Watchdog: Philly charter schools outperform district counterparts

http://watchdog.org/121760/philly-charter-schools/

Post-Tribune: Pence’s misguided faith in state charter schools

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/opinions/24455782-474/pences-misguided-faith-in-charter-schools.html

Associated Press: Texas officials move to close 6 charter schools

http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Texas-officials-move-to-close-6-charter-schools-5081517.php?cmpid=htx

Louisiana Scholarship Program Audit: Much Ado?

By Whitney Marcavage
Policy Director
American Federation for Children

In some circles, much is being made of the recently released legislative audit of Louisiana’s Scholarship Program, a statewide voucher program that allows low-income families with children zoned to attend failing public schools the option to attend a participating private school or high-performing public school of their choice.

Currently, about 6,750 such students are participating in the program, 86 percent of whom are African-American. These are kids who need educational options. It is worth keeping in mind that a multi-year, scientifically-based evaluation of a similar school choice programin Florida has consistently found that the scholarship program in that state serves students who “tend to come from lower-performing public schools prior to entering the program. Likewise, as in prior years, they tend to be among the lowest-performing students in their prior school, regardless of the performance level of their public school.”

The legislative audit itself makes clear the high demand for the program – student participation increased 269 percent from school year 2011-12 2013-14, the two years since the program was expanded to serve students statewide beyond Orleans Parish – including a 38 percent jump in enrollment since last year.

Tweet of the morning

‪@DrStevePerry: Knowing that when kids lose the lottery, they REALLY LOSE. This just shouldn't be in America. It's just wrong. #schoolchoice matters.

American Federation for Children

The Advocate: Letter: Audit finds voucher growth

http://theadvocate.com/news/opinion/7891313-123/letter-audit-finds-voucher-growth

Talk 107.3: Ann Duplessis talks scholarship audit

http://bit.ly/1gIBLRh

Eyes Open with Tony Brown: Duplessis on scholarship program

http://bit.ly/18ZGKrQ

12.19.13 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Tweet of the afternoon

‪@HispanicCREO: Support for ‪#schoolchoice is real. Over 1,000 tweets were generated yesterday on ‪#schoolchoiceWISH

Vouchers – Louisiana

Daily Caller: DOJ’s Louisiana voucher challenge could segregate schools further

http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/19/dojs-louisiana-voucher-challenge-could-segregate-schools-further/

Quote of the morning

"a road of opportunity for kids with no other alternative.” Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Alliance for School Choice

NOLA: More money for school vouchers coming to Louisiana

http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2013/12/more_money_for_school_vouchers.html

School Choice

USA Today: Faith-based education an option we can't deny: Column

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/12/18/sotomayor-faith-based-schools-education-column/4117977/

12.18.13 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Tweet of the afternoon

@StudentsFirst: Equal access to high quality schools & teachers for every student in America! ‪#schoolchoiceWISH

Vouchers – North Carolina

Daily Caller: Leftist lawsuit says helping poor kids escape failing public schools is unconstitutional

http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/18/leftist-lawsuit-says-helping-poor-kids-escape-failing-public-schools-is-unconstitutional/

Shelby Star: EDITORIAL: Vouchers can be positive for education system

http://www.shelbystar.com/opinion/our-opinion/editorial-vouchers-can-be-positive-for-education-system-1.251164

School Choice

The Republic: Tax-credit program helping rich Arizona schools get richer

http://www.azcentral.com/news/arizona/articles/20131125tax-credit-program-helping-rich-ariz-schools-get-richer.html

Tweet of the morning

‪@julioflorida: My ‪#schoolchoiceWISH: That all kids get a fair chance. Education is making a difference for them, let's make it a positive difference

Vouchers- North Carolina

Townhall: NC Superintendent: Vouchers May Fund ‘Schools of Terror’

http://townhall.com/columnists/kyleolson/2013/12/18/nc-superintendent-vouchers-may-fund-schools-of-terror-n1764471

School Choice

Examiner: Plumsted district approved for school choice program

http://exa.gmnews.com/news/2013-12-19/Front_Page/Plumsted_district_approved_for_school_choice_progr.html

12.17.13 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Quote of the afternoon

“When they find out about it, they love it. We see this around the country, whenever these choice programs come into existence. We assume that once it’s in place, we assume that people know about it, and they don’t.” Kevin Chavous, Executive Counsel, American Federation for Children

Alliance for School Choice

The Washington Post: Walton foundation pumps cash into vouchers

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/walton-foundation-pumps-cash-into-vouchers/2013/12/17/3578483c-6740-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html?tid=hpModule_99d5f542-86a2-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394

Tweet of the morning

@dcschoolreform: DCSRN is excited to host a training this morning for fellow ‪@DCAYA member organizations on the ‪#DC ‪#schoolchoice process! ‪@schoolchoicewk

American Federation for Children

Report Shows Scholarship Accountability Measures Working

http://www.louisiana4children.org/news-releases/report-shows-scholarship-accountability-measures-working

12.16.13 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Tweet of the Afternoon

@RonMatus1: Oh, the holidays. Egg nog. Mistletoe. And a little #schoolchoiceWISH! Share yours with us Wed http://goo.gl/dRtHw8 #schoolchoice #edFL

Vouchers – Louisiana

The Advocate: Legislative auditor criticizes voucher program

http://theadvocate.com/home/7839970-125/legislative-auditor-criticizes-voucher-program

Vouchers – North Carolina

Watauga Democrat: Groups sue over NC school voucher law

http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/News/story/Groups-sue-over-NC-school-voucher-law-id-013515

Tweet of the Morning

@HispanicCREO Do you have a WISH you would like to make for #schoolchoice? Join @RonMatus1 @NtlBAEO @PEFNC & others & make a #schoolchoiceWISH 12/18

Vouchers – North Carolina

Fayetteville Observer: White: No vouchers, no good news for schools

http://fayobserver.com/articles/2013/12/15/1302388

Wizbang: Union-Loving School Official Says School Vouchers Would ‘Train Terrorists’

http://wizbangblog.com/2013/12/15/union-loving-school-official-says-school-vouchers-would-train-terrorists/

12.03.13 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Quote of the Afternoon

“That was the great thing about the scholarship, that you can decide where you would like to place your child…” Anita Belcher, Empowerment Scholarship Account parent

School Choice

WFPL: Bluegrass Institute Launches 'Free to Learn' Debate Series

http://wfpl.org/post/bluegrass-institute-launches-free-learn-debate-series

Education Reform

NOLA: Louisiana Education Superintendent John White gets a national shout-out

http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2013/12/louisiana_education_superinten_1.html

The Washington Post: D.C. Council votes unanimously to give schools more money for at-risk kids

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-council-votes-unanimously-to-give-schools-more-money-for-at-risk-kids/2013/12/03/6532a1da-5c2d-11e3-be07-006c776266ed_story.html

EdWeek: U.S. Achievement Stalls as Other Nations Make Gains

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/12/03/14pisa.h33.html?tkn=XXTF3rherV6%2FllDKASty25fQb62F81FHErbw&cmp=clp-edweek

Charter Schools

The Lens: KIPP leadership to vote on returning to Orleans school board

http://thelensnola.org/2013/12/03/kipp-leadership-to-vote-on-returning-to-orleans-school-board/

Ahwatukee Foothill News: State charter schools seek more taxpayer money

http://www.ahwatukee.com/news/city_news/article_b3f0bf70-5c62-11e3-b2bf-0019bb2963f4.html

12.03.13 Daily News Clips – morning edition

Tweet of the morning

@redefinEDonline Unbelievable: Judge orders #homeschool kids into public school so they can "socialize" w others http://goo.gl/PTwwNw via @HSLDA #edchoice

School Choice

Miami Herald: For parents, finding the right magnet or charter school can be hard work

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/02/3792828/for-parents-finding-the-right.html

NJ.com: School Choice competition for students creates 'shark tank' atmosphere says Hampton board member

http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2013/12/school_choice_competition_for.html

Argus Leader: Parents line up for choice of schools

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20131203/VOICES/312030017/Parents-line-up-choice-schools?nclick_check=1

Education Reform

TribLive: Brewster eyes education reform

http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/5181664-74/brewster-charter-education#axzz2mQHshXbS

Port South: Common Core website launched by education reform group

http://www.postsouth.com/article/20131202/NEWS/131209979

Charter Schools

EdWeek: Judge Set to Rule on Lawsuit Against Charter Schools in Washington State

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/charterschoice/2013/12/judge_set_to_rule_on_lawsuit_against_charter_schools_in_washington_state.html

Battle Creek Enquirer: Charters elevate our public schools

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20131201/OPINION02/312010026

Monday, December 2, 2013

12.2.13 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Educational Choice Quote of the Day

"My child attends a public, free “virtual” charter school. I was interested in this because she suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a disability that affects stability in her arms and legs. ... This school works."

- Jody Curson, parent.

Vouchers – Louisiana

Bayou Buzz: School still out on Louisiana voucher program impact

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/buzz/item/560205-school-still-out-on-louisiana-voucher-program-impact

Tweet of the Morning
@MeganWhittemore RT @WSJ Editorial: Louisiana Voucher Assault, Round 2 http://ow.ly/rmpqA #schoolchoice

Alliance for School Choice

#GivingTuesday http://givingtuesday.org/partner/alliance-for-school-choice/

11.25.13 Daily News Clips

Tweet of the Morning:

@PEFNC Not sure if you are eligible for NC Opportunity Scholarships? Here is a great tool, the eligibility calculator! http://bit.ly/187gVWx

American Federation for Children

PARENTS SHOULD CONTROL THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS, NOT FEDERAL BUREAUCRATS

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/856

The Advocate: Former school voucher foe heads pro-voucher group

http://theadvocate.com/home/7564929-125/former-voucher-foe-heads-pro-voucher

Journal Sentinel: Republican Jessie Rodriguez elected to Assembly for 21st District

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/republican-jessie-rodriguez-elected-to-assembly-b99144203z1-232608671.html

Jessie Rodriguez Wins 21st Assembly District Seat in Wisconsin

By Matt Frendewey

Voters in the 21st Assembly District seat had two very clear choices to choose from as their next representative: Community activist Jessie Rodriguez or nonprofit fundraiser Elizabeth Coppola.

Voters chose Jessie Rodriguez.

Why does this matter?

Fighting fiction with fact & reality

By Kevin P. Chavous

Yesterday, Politico published “Vouchers don’t do much for students.” This misleading piece was based on cherry picking data and used talking points identical to those used by the NEA and AFT.

Every day, across America, in 18 states and the District of Columbia, nearly a quarter of a million children attend a school of their choice, many of those students are improving academically, and all have new options, new outcomes, and a new hope for a brighter future because of educational choice. While the outspoken opponents of educational choice and the story cited above try to protect the “system” and oppose parents from having the right to choose the best education for their child, the facts remain on our side.

AFC & ASC Honors the Memory of the late-Rep. John Patrick Julien

AFC & ASC Honors the Memory of the late-Rep. John Patrick Julien

The American Federation for Children and the Alliance for School Choice issued the following statement in honor of Rep. John Patrick Julien, who passed away earlier today.

Betsy DeVos, chairman of the American Federation for Children and the Alliance for School Choice:

On behalf of the American Federation for Children and the Alliance for School Choice, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Rep. John Patrick Julien. The legacy of JPJ, as he was called, will always be that of a leader who put the concern and needs of Florida children first.

Reign of Error: One book’s defense of the status-quo

By Kevin P. Chavous

In the several reviews of Diane Ravitch's new book, "Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools,” many have focused on her obvious obsession with corporate America and it's 'evil' involvement in education reform. In writing this book, she clearly wants to warn us all "that reformers want to privatize their public schools and divert their taxes to pay profits to investors." And while Ravitch's rabid attacks throughout the book on education reformers is at times irrational and not based on facts, my problem with her approach and her rhetoric is more basic.

Are Politics to Blame in the Attack on Ed Choice in Louisiana?

By Kevin P. Chavous

I have supported President Obama and known U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for many years and have trusted that their motives are genuine.

But I am now extremely troubled by the motives behind the Dept. of Justice's desegregation lawsuit against the Louisiana scholarship program. In effect, the suit claims that allowing low income Louisiana kids to leave failing public schools in favor of better private schools somehow violates federal desegregation orders issued decades ago.

Since the lawsuit was filed last week, many have speculated as to the motives behind it; why was it filed?

50 Years After King's Dream -- Time to Wake Up

By Kevin P. Chavous
As appeared on Huffington Post "Black Voices" (August 28, 2013)

As our nation steps back to reflect upon the March on Washington and famous speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we all must challenges ourselves to question our nation's progress.

Fifty years later, how has our nation progressed? How have we evolved? How have we improved?

Dr. King's speech helped create momentum for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which legally solidified the equality of African Americans in this country. All week, various events and activities are planned, including an anniversary march on August 28.

Like the 1963 march, the focus of the planned commemorative activities are jobs and justice. But what about education?

Obama to Louisiana Children: ‘You must remain separate and not equal’

By. Kevin P. Chavous

On Saturday, the Obama Administration sued to block Louisiana’s Scholarship Program. This unprecedented and uncalled for action is a direct attack on thousands of low-income children. AFC Press release (http://bit.ly/15bWLvi).

As Adam Emerson, from Fordham summarizes it:

Late last week, lawyers with the department’s Civil Rights Division petitioned a federal judge in Louisiana to stop the Bayou State’s new voucher program from spreading throughout the thirty-plus districts operating under federal desegregation orders.

Why?

Because, according to the DOJ lawsuit, only a federal judge should be able to allow a poor black child to leave the failing school district. That’s right, it’s not up to the parent, but a federal judge.

The Thirteen Most Impactful #EdReform Twitter Feeds of 2013

By Kevin P. Chavous

Earlier this week you read my reaction to the list of “top” education policy Twitter feeds released by Fordham Institute’s Michael J. Petrilli. Michael based his list on Klout scores, and as a result the list was absent many ed reformers who have actually made an impact in the lives of countless children.

NYC Families Gather to Demand More Educational Options

By Kevin P. Chavous

I had the opportunity to take part this weekend in StudentsFirstNY’s Parent Convention. The convention brought together hundreds of families and education choice activists from across New York City to discuss the best way to inspire policy changes that would lead to more quality educational options for New York children.

Who are the real #EdReform Influencers?

By Kevin P. Chavous
Today, Michael J. Petrilli of The Fordham Institute published what he calls, "The Top Twitter Feeds in Education Policy." This is indicative of the problem with some in the education reform community -- let's pat each other’s back for superficial reasons, ignoring the real reason for education reform - helping children.

First, I want to say, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Michael, both personally and professionally, and his list includes some worthwhile education reform champions. But, as Michael explains, the list is based purely on "Klout" scores. Klout is a website that attempts to measure individual influence online, but as Mashable and other outlets have reported, Klout is hardly an accurate measure of social media impact.

More importantly, in the terms of education reform, the most important impact shouldn't be how much we Tweet one another, but how positive impact we're having the lives of children who deserve better educational options.

So while Michael will rely on computer algorithm to develop his list of "Top Twitter Feeds in Education Policy," later this week, I will be releasing the "Thirteen Most Impactful #EdReform Twitter Accounts of 2013." This list will include nominations from you of people whose work is changing the lives of children every day.

To nominate a Twitter account, email KTyagi@FederationforChildren.org - including the name and twitter handle of your nominee or Tweet me your nominee at @KevinPChavous.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Why school choice is succeeding

By Kevin P. Chavous

Michael Q. McShane wrote yesterday, “Why School Choice is Failing.” His thought provoking piece raised some very important points, but fails to illustrate how school choice is succeeding, the several solutions already in place to address his concerns, and how school choice advocates are laying the groundwork for even greater impact.

McShane’s issues boil down to three points: Filling excess capacity, encouraging high-quality schools to scale-up and creating new high-quality schools, the latter two McShane argues that school choice programs are “lousy at.”

The majority of us who are involved in the education reform movement are focused on advancing parental choice as central component of fundamental, meaningful, and impactful reform to provide children with better options that generate better educational outcomes. It’s both smart policy and a matter of social justice. However, when a child moves from a public school to a private school through an educational choice program, and receives the same failed outcome, that is not a success. And, this is where McShane has it right.

Monday, December 23, 2013

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Thursday, August 8, 2013