01.31.14 Daily News Clips – morning edition

Tweet of the morning

‪@ChoiceMediaTV: Watch the new PSA from ‪@SchoolChoiceNow: "Educational Choice Now" ‪http://buff.ly/1dSr6fJ  ‪#EdRevolution ‪#SchoolChoice

School Choice

C-SPAN: School Choice and Education Voucher Programs

http://www.c-span.org/video/?317413-5/VoucherPro

Watchdog: Arizona pioneers ‘School Choice 2.0′

http://watchdog.org/126474/school-choice-esa/

Market Watch: Making school choice work: A lesson from Israel

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/making-school-choice-work-a-lesson-from-israel-2014-01-31

01.30.14 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Tweets of the afternoon

‪@JalenRose: Proud to be part of the “Educational Choice Now” PSA. Watch it here: ‪#EdRevolution ‪http://bit.ly/1jOTjfH 

‪@DeionSanders: PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT NOW!! TRUTH ‪@SchoolChoiceNow PSA release. Watch it here ‪http://bit.ly/1jOTjfH  ‪pic.twitter.com/ZKuqNEcsyr"

American Federation for Children

DEION SANDERS, LISA LESLIE & KEVIN CHAVOUS ANNOUNCE “EDUCATIONAL CHOICE NOW” PSA

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/870

SEVEN SCHOOL CHOICE SUCCESS STORIES IN SEVEN DAYS: AMANDA

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/869

Seven Educational Choice Success Stories in Seven Days: Chloe and Kasey

http://www.louisiana4children.org/news-releases/seven-educational-choice-success-stories-in-seven-days-chloe-and-kasey

Civil rights leaders, elected officials and students join together for Tennessee’s National School Choice Week celebration

http://federationforchildren.blogspot.com/2014/01/civil-rights-leaders-elected-officials.html

Civil rights leaders, elected officials and students join together for Tennessee’s National School Choice Week celebration

More than 1,000 Tennesseans gathered at War Memorial Auditorium Tuesday in recognition of National School Choice Week’s “School Choice NOW” celebration. The celebration brought together civil rights leaders, Gov. Bill Haslam (R-TN), Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, other elected officials, and students and parents from across the state. 

Lawmakers were pleased to see the surge of Tennesseans who made their way across the state to attend and show their support for education choice options, including  an opportunity scholarship program that is currently being discussed by legislators.  

Gov. Haslam addressed the crowd expressing his desire to move Tennessee forward and make education reform a top priority for the state. Lt. Governor Ramsey followed, echoing these sentiments and emphasizing the need for greater choice options for parents across Tennessee.  

Parents, students, community leaders and legislators poured into the auditorium with high-energy and began cheering for educational choice options prior to the start of the celebration program. Banners hung from the auditorium balcony saying “Rise Up for School Choice” and a sea of yellow scarves was seen by all in attendance. 

St. Joseph’s Catholic School choir kicked off the program, lifting their voices in harmony to sing The National Anthem. Rep. John Deberry (D - Memphis) was the official emcee for the day keeping the room energized with his own personal education stories and words of support for school choice in the state.  Attendees were prompted to use their smartphones texting “TNkids” to become a direct advocate for school choice options. 

Attendees received a first hand demonstration of the benefits of educational options when student speaker Brianna Terrall, a sophomore at Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, and Raymond Cheers, volunteer and a grandparent of a student at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, shared their personal experiences.  

Former Tennessee Titan Chris Sanders shared his story with attendees, calling on lawmakers not to “fall a yard short in our state’s education.” Rev. Dwight Montgomery, president of the Memphis chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, brought the crowd to their feet as he challenged lawmakers to put children first. “Our government bailed out big businesses like Ford and General Motors,” said Rev. Montgomery. “Now it’s time to bail out our children from failing educations.”

Several state lawmakers were in attendance to greet their constituents, including Sen. Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville), Sen. Reggie Tate (D - Memphis), Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D- Memphis), and Rep. Joshua Evans (R - Greenbrier). 

Coalition members who helped organize the event, include:

• Agudath Israel of America 
• Beacon Center of Tennessee 
• Black Alliance for Educational Options
• Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
• Parent Revolution
• PublicSchoolOptions. org
• StudentsFirst
• Tennessee Charter School Center 
• Tennessee Federation for Children

Tuesday's celebration made headlines.  Click the links below to see the full stories:

Memphis Families Return After Nashville School Vouchers Rally
School Choice Rally Brings Teachers, Parents to State Capitol
Students, Parents Rally in Nashville for School Voucher Bill 

01.30.14 Daily News Clips – morning edition

Tweet of the morning

‪@ntlBAEO: What an amazing time at the "Put Kids First Rally" w/ ‪@LisaLeslie & ‪@EricCantor for National School Choice Week - ‪https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.774403272572164.1073741828.145659172113247&type=1 …

Vouchers – Indiana

State Impact: Does Indiana Attach Enough Money To Its Private School Vouchers?

http://indianapublicmedia.org/stateimpact/2014/01/29/indianas-maximum-voucher/

Indy Star: Bill to let voucher schools out of ISTEP gutted

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2014/01/29/bill-would-let-voucher-schools-opt-out-of-istep-testing/5014065/

01.29.14 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Tweets of the afternoon

‏‪@LisaLeslie: I can't say enough about how ‪@SenFeinstein took the time with each child and inspired them! ‪#SchoolChoice

‪@GOPLeader: We need to empower every single child no matter who you are, no matter where you come from to have the best education and the best future.

American Federation for Children

200 STUDENTS, PARENTS AND SUPPORTERS PARTICIPATE IN DC’S “PUT KIDS FIRST” NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK CELEBRATION

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/868

The Washington Free Beacon: Students Rally for School Choice in D.C.

http://freebeacon.com/students-rally-for-school-choice-in-d-c/

Majority Leader Blog: LEADER CANTOR CELEBRATES NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK

http://majorityleader.gov/blog/2014/01/leader-cantor-celebrates-national-school-choice-week.html

Daily Caller: Children are at the forefront of civil rights fights, including school choice

http://dailycaller.com/2014/01/29/children-are-at-the-forefront-of-civil-rights-fights-including-school-choice/

SEVEN SCHOOL CHOICE SUCCESS STORIES IN SEVEN DAYS: NEVADA

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/867

AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN APPLAUDS FEDERAL EFFORTS TO ADVANCE PARENTAL CHOICE

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/866

Seven Educational Choice Success Stories in Seven Days: Maria and Alexa

http://louisiana4children.org/news-releases/seven-educational-choice-success-stories-in-seven-days-maria-and-alexa

Photos from National School Choice Week in Louisiana

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.815731778452505.1073741827.203159579709731&type=1

School Choice

Nonprofit Quarterly: Republican Response on Income Inequality & School Choice

http://nonprofitquarterly.org/policysocial-context/23597-republican-response-on-income-inequality-school-choice.html

The Gazette: National School Choice Week champions better education

http://gazette.com/national-school-choice-week-champions-better-education/article/1513571

Education Reform

The Washington Post: Civil rights hero launches ‘American Child’s Education Bill of Rights’

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/01/29/civil-rights-hero-launches-american-childs-education-bill-of-rights/

Charter Schools

The Washington Post: A push for D.C. Public Schools to share space with charter schools, nonprofits

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/a-push-for-dc-public-schools-to-share-space-with-charter-schools-nonprofits/2014/01/29/dccef3b6-890e-11e3-916e-e01534b1e132_story.html

01.29.14 Daily News Clips – morning edition

Tweet of the morning

‏‪@charteralliance: Put kids first rally in DC about to start. The kids are here! ‪@schoolchoicewk ‪#SCW ‪pic.twitter.com/gBEvfNg6Kz

Vouchers – Tennessee

The Tennessean: Haslam, Ramsey strike different chord on vouchers at 'school choice' event

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20140129/NEWS0201/301290156/Haslam-Ramsey-strike-different-chord-vouchers-school-choice-event

School Choice

Orange County Register: Larry Sand: Students benefit from school vouchers

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/school-599221-vouchers-students.html

Watchdog: Senators propose redirecting federal money to school choice

http://watchdog.org/125959/senators-propose-redirecting-federal-money-school-choice/

Color Lines: Should You Celebrate or Be Wary of National School Choice Week?

http://colorlines.com/archives/2014/01/should_you_celebrate_or_be_wary_of_national_school_choice_week.html

Charter Schools

EdWeek: New Report: States' Charter Laws Should Vary Based on Charters' Performance

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/charterschoice/2014/01/new_report_states_charter_laws_should_fluctuate_based_on_charters_performance.html

CBS Philly: Senate Bill Would Give Colleges Authority To Approve Charter Schools In Pennsylvania

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/01/29/senate-bill-would-give-colleges-authority-to-approve-charter-schools-in-pennsylvania/

01.28.14 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Tweet of the afternoon

‏‪@BeaconTN: 1,200 rallied on behalf of ‪#schoolchoice at TN capitol today! Gov. ‪@BillHaslam & LtGov ‪@RonRamsey welcomed crowd! ‪http://bit.ly/1f9gfSJ 

American Federation for Children

Louisiana Students, Parents, Legislators and Schools Celebrate National School Choice Week

http://louisiana4children.org/news-releases/louisiana-students-parents-legislators-and-schools-celebrate-national-school-choice-week

Jim Engster Show on WRKF-FM: Ann Duplessis talks National School Choice Week

http://bit.ly/19ZEKm7

Vouchers – Wisconsin

Journal Sentinel: Bill would close failing Wisconsin public schools, cut voucher payments

http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/bill-would-close-failing-wisconsin-public-schools-cut-voucher-payments-b99193530z1-242431091.html

School Choice

Cato Institute: Are Federal School Vouchers a Good Idea?

http://www.cato.org/blog/are-federal-school-vouchers-good-idea

EdWeek: Key Republican Senators Introduce School Choice Bills

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2014/01/key_republican_senators_introd.html

Idaho Press: Every student and family deserve school choice

http://www.idahopress.com/members/every-student-and-family-deserve-school-choice/article_71622986-884b-11e3-b6ab-001a4bcf887a.html

WREG: Caravan From Memphis Rallies In Nashvile For School Choice

http://wreg.com/2014/01/28/caravan-from-memphis-rallies-in-nashvile-for-school-choice/

Charter Schools

Chicago Tribune: Emanuel defends new charter schools

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/clout/chi-emanuel-defends-new-charter-schools-20140128,0,2326892.story

01.28.14 Daily News Clips – morning edition

Tweet of the morning

‪@AEI: Don't Miss 10:40am ET ‪@SenAlexander, ‪@SenatorTimScott unveil ambitious proposals to expand ‪#schoolchoice ‪#edequality ‪http://ow.ly/t0g2T 

American Federation for Children

Seven School Choice Success Stories in Seven Days: Elias

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/865

The New York Times: Bill to Offer an Option to Give Vouchers

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/28/education/senator-to-propose-school-vouchers-program.html?hpw&rref=us&_r=0

School Choice

The Washington Post: GOP measure would promote ‘school choice’ with federal funding

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/gop-measure-would-promote-school-choice-with-federal-funding/2014/01/27/7fd52e7e-8778-11e3-a5bd-844629433ba3_story.html

Associated Press: Alexander to file bill encouraging school choice

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/alexander-to-file-bill-encouraging-school-choice/2014/01/27/b6ff40b8-87a2-11e3-a760-a86415d0944d_story.html

The Washington Free Beacon: Nation Celebrates Annual School Choice Week

http://freebeacon.com/nation-celebrates-annual-school-choice-week/

Watchdog: National School Choice Train leaves S.C. station

http://watchdog.org/125703/nscw-columbia-school/

US News: School Choice Should Be a Fundamental Right

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/nina-rees/2014/01/28/national-school-choice-week-highlights-importance-of-empowering-parents

The Hill: Rubio and Cruz circle education reform

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/196584-rubio-and-cruz-circle-education-reform-as-next-big-issue

Charter Schools

The Courier-Tribune: Accountability needed in charter school explosion

http://courier-tribune.com/opinion/letters/accountability-needed-charter-school-explosion

01.27.14 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Tweet of the afternoon

‪@LisaLeslie: Good morning, I can't wait to speak this week ‪@GOPLeader "Put Kids First" celebration, Jan. 29 at Friendship Chamberlain ‪#SCW ‪#AFC

Vouchers – Indiana

The Journal Gazette: Nearly 20,000 got private-school vouchers

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140127/LOCAL06/140129350

Vouchers – Tennessee

Associated Press: Opposing sides to vouchers speak out as lawmakers, governor work on compromise legislation

http://www.tribtown.com/view/story/56fc5baa8d044cf790510fba8e877eb9/TN--School-Vouchers

School Choice

Townhall: School Choice: A Powerful Lever to Increase the Quality of Education

http://townhall.com/video/aei-n1785371

Reason: Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Rally for School Choice

http://reason.com/reasontv/2014/01/27/sen-ted-cruz-and-rep-sheila-jackson-lee

Red Alert Politics: School choice: A war on poverty worth fighting

http://redalertpolitics.com/2014/01/27/school-choice-a-war-on-poverty-worth-fighting/

The Foundry: Is Your Child in the Right School?

http://blog.heritage.org/2014/01/27/child-right-school/

Education Reform

The Atlantic: Obama's Empty Rhetoric on Education

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/01/obamas-empty-rhetoric-on-education/283292/

The Huffington Post: Poverty and the Education Opportunity Gap: Will the SOTU Step Up?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-welner/poverty-and-the-education-sotu_b_4665211.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

Charter Schools

Clarion Ledger: MS charter school letters of intent detail initial plans for operations (Download letters)

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140127/NEWS/301270029/MS-charter-school-letters-intent-detail-initial-plans-operations-Download-letters-

01.27.14 Daily News Clips – morning edition

Tweet of the morning

‪@GOPLeader: Expanding education opportunity through ‪#SchoolChoice improves the lives of children and their families. ‪#SchoolChoiceWeek

American Federation for Children

MAJORITY LEADER ERIC CANTOR & 4-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST LISA LESLIE TO SPEAK AT “PUT KIDS FIRST” NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK CELEBRATION

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/864

SEVEN SCHOOL CHOICE SUCCESS STORIES IN SEVEN DAYS: NYDIA

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/863

Vouchers – Louisiana

Newsmax: Louisiana Gov. Jindal Fights Washington War on School Vouchers

http://www.newsmax.com/US/louisiana-education-bobby-jindal-vouchers/2014/01/24/id/548960

Vouchers – Tennessee

WREG: More African Americans Push For School Voucher Program

http://wreg.com/2014/01/24/more-african-americans-push-for-school-voucher-program/

The Mountain Press: The King's Academy watches Tennessee voucher bills with interest

http://www.themountainpress.com/news/x1385730976/The-Kings-Academy-watches-Tennessee-voucher-bills-with-interest

School Choice

National Review: We Need School Choice Now

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/369444/we-need-school-choice-now-jeb-bush

Albuquerque Journal: NM lawmakers should expand school choices

http://www.abqjournal.com/342943/opinion/nm-lawmakers-should-expand-school-choices.html

The Market Oracle: Every Week Should Be School Choice Week

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article44137.html

Southern Maryland News: Why School Choice Opens a Door to the American Dream

http://smnewsnet.com/archives/91428

Houston Chronicle: Enlow: Better education options can help stem income inequality

http://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Enlow-Better-education-options-can-help-stem-5172720.php?cmpid=opedhphcat

The Wall Street Journal: School choice supporters to meet with NY lawmakers

http://online.wsj.com/article/AP1599b1f45d9f4e6db1ce0839c8ba866b.html

01.24.14 Daily News Clips - afternoon edition

Tweet of the afternoon

‪@andrewrcamp: At ‪@NSCWWhistleStop event in Birmingham, ‪@kevinpchavous calls ‪#schoolchoice the civil rights issue of our time.

American Federation for Children

KEVIN P. CHAVOUS CALLS FOR MORE EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS, PROMOTES NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK

http://federationforchildren.org/articles/862

Vouchers – Tennessee

Associated Press: Republican lawmakers push new school voucher bill to Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jan/23/republican-lawmakers-push-new-school-voucher-bill-/

Nashville Public Radio: More Families Could Get School Vouchers Under New Tennessee Proposal

http://nashvillepublicradio.org/blog/2014/01/23/more-families-could-get-school-voucher-under-new-tennessee-proposal/

School Choice

The Augusta Chronicle: On school choice, Georgia is a model

http://beta.mirror.augusta.com/opinion/opinion-columns/2014-01-23/school-choice-georgia-model

Education Reform

National Journal: Why Education Is the Big Issue in Gubernatorial Races

http://www.nationaljournal.com/hotline-on-call/why-education-is-the-big-issue-in-gubernatorial-races-20140123

Charter Schools

Clarion Ledger: 30 hopefuls file papers to operate charter schools

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140123/NEWS01/301230030/30-hopefuls-file-papers-operate-charter-schools

01.24.14 Daily News Clips – morning edition

Tweet of the morning

‪@SchoolReform: ‪#SchoolChoice Proponents Fill Georgia’s Superintendent Ballot ‪http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2014/01/24/school-choice-proponents-fill-georgias-superintendent-ballot … ‪#SCW

American Federation for Children

The Great Fordham Toolkit Debate

http://federationforchildren.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-great-fordham-toolkit-debate.html

Louisiana Celebrates National School Choice Week with Statewide School Tour

http://louisiana4children.org/news-releases/louisiana-celebrates-national-school-choice-week-with-statewide-school-tour

Vouchers – Tennessee

The Tennessean: Senate's school voucher proposal doesn't sway Haslam

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20140124/NEWS0201/301230147/Senate-s-school-voucher-proposal-doesn-t-sway-Haslam

The Mountain Press: Editorial: Voucher plan will garner passionate pleas from both sides

http://www.themountainpress.com/opinion/x1385730552/Editorial-Voucher-plan-will-garner-passionate-pleas-from-both-sides

School Choice

Cola Daily: Education leaders gather for School Choice Week stop in Columbia

http://coladaily.com/2014/01/24/education-leaders-gather-for-school-choice-week-stop-in-columbia/

Anchorage Daily News: Parnell says funding increase linked to reforms, not vouchers

http://www.adn.com/2014/01/23/3288573/parnell-says-funding-increase.html

Education Reform

The Washington Post: Telling the truth on achievement gaps improves education

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/arne-duncan-better-education-starts-with-honesty-about-achievement-gaps/2014/01/23/7f276928-7ed2-11e3-93c1-0e888170b723_story.html

The Great Fordham Toolkit Debate

By Whitney Marcavage
National Policy Director

Washington, D.C. - The American Federation for Children applauds the folks over at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute for stirring up debate about academic accountability within private school choice programs via the release of their policy “toolkit” last week. It’s an important conversation to have.

As the only national educational choice organization that works to elect state policymakers who support parental choice, lobbies for high-quality legislation, and ensures that the laws work for kids, we’ve got a pretty good sense of the policy and political questions regarding accountability in private school choice programs.