Rep. Cantor: “Enough is enough” when it comes to failing our children

One of the highest ranking members of the U.S. House of Representatives issued his support for empowering parents to have a voice in their child’s education. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) in an opinion-editorial featured in the Richmond Times- Dispatch said, “Children cannot escape poverty if they cannot read or write. Young adults cannot prepare for college without access to dedicated teachers and administrators. And parents cannot ensure their children have it better than they did if they don’t have the opportunity to improve their children’s education.”

Celebrating Education Reform at the ESPYS

Champions for Choice Event a Success

By Lisa Leslie
Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist and former WNBA star



With my fabulous co-hosts
Kevin P. Chavous and Jalen Rose

One of my favorite events of the year is the ESPY Awards. It is a fantastic opportunity for sports stars, celebrities and fans to join forces and celebrate the athletic achievements of the past year – And this year was no exception!

I was especially excited for this year’s event as I had the opportunity to co-host “Champions for Choice in Education” with Jalen Rose  and Kevin P. Chavous. The event allowed us to educate fellow celebrities and athletes about the importance of educational choice.

"Quality schools shouldn't be just for those who have money" -- Ohio State Rep. Coley Explains his Support for Education Choice

The Ohio Legislature recently passed, and Gov. John Kasich signed into law, legislation that would greatly expand educational options for low-income students in the Buckeye State. Receiving strong bipartisan support across the state, the bill showed the state’s commitment to ensuring all students have access to the best education for their needs – whether that be at a traditional public school, charter or through private school choice program. Rep. Bill Coley (R-Liberty Township) drafted an op-ed for the Cincinnati Enquirer on the significance of the passage, and how school choice is helping to level the playing field for low-income and minority students.

Special Needs Students One Step Closer to School Choice in North Carolina

We'd like to applaud the North Carolina Senate for passing House Bill 269, which would create a program to provide children with disabilities with access to the education of their parents’ choice.

House Bill 269, also known as Children with Disabilities Scholarship Grants, heads back to the North Carolina House for a final vote before heading to the governor’s desk. If passed, the bill would provide grants of up to $6,000 to children with disabilities to cover private school tuition and related special education services.

Access to a quality education is a right of all students. We are glad to see the North Carolina Senate took the steps necessary to pass this bill, and to work with the House to ensure special needs students can receive the best education to fit their unique needs.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, Kristen Tyagi

Success of D.C. OSP Subject of Wall Street Journal Editorial

Last week, numbers were released showing that the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is helping even more students in our nation's capital graduate from high school and go on to pursue higher education. The success of the D.C. OSP program was the subject of a Wall Street Journal editorial this weekend, which called on President Obama to consider supporting the program:

Ohio kindergarten students now eligible for income-based scholarship for private school

Special guest blog by Matt Cox, School Choice Ohio

 

The application for Ohio’s new income-based scholarship opens today, July 1. Ohio’s is the newest income-based scholarship, joining Indiana, Louisiana, Washington DC, and Wisconsin.

Last week, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed the nation’s newest school choice program into law: a state-sponsored private school scholarship for students starting kindergarten this fall whose family income falls at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

The income-based scholarship joins the EdChoice (failing school), Jon Peterson (special needs), Cleveland, and Autism scholarship programs in serving families in every corner of the state.