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

Chavous: Students Must Come First

Today's post comes from AFC's executive counsel Kevin P. Chavous:

 

One of the biggest stories in the news today is the Georgia cheating scandal.   Public schools in Atlanta, Georgia have fallen under pressure as evidence has surfaced showing that school administrators may have altered standardized test scores to make it appear students performed better than they actually did.

 

By altering the test scores, students did not win.  Only the schools and school districts “won” (that is until they got caught).  In fact, Retired district superintendent Beverly Hall was praised by U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan for her work in turning around these poor and minority schools.  She was even named 2009 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators.

 

According to Hall’s indictment for racketeering, “Principals and teachers were frequently told by Beverly Hall and her subordinates that excuses for not meeting targets would not be tolerated.”   To meet these “targets,” teachers were allegedly asked to gather the students’ test sheets and change incorrect answers.  These formerly failing schools were now outperforming the wealthier suburban schools, and the school officials were being touted education reform heroes, showing that a school can be turned around from within. 

 

“Our schools desperately need to be fixed,” wrote The Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson in a column about the scandal.  “But creating a situation in which teachers are more likely than students to cheat cannot be the right path.”  I couldn’t agree more.   These Atlanta administrators touted themselves as “education reformers” but as I have said time after time, no school district has ever reformed itself from within.  Real education reform comes as a result of external pressures through educational choice.  

 

By providing families with access to educational options, parents have a choice in their child’s education.  Through options such as tax credits, scholarships, vouchers, charter schools, and traditional schools, families have a say in their child’s education.  As I said this earlier week on PBS NewsHour, “the only way we are going to fly this plane while we fix it, is by helping those kids with the immediate needs, and also providing the impetus for public schools to right-side themselves.”

 

Our nation’s education system needs to be about providing the best education to all children.  Every option must be on the table to ensure each and every student in America receives a high-quality education that will prepare them for tomorrow.

National School Choice Week is in Full Swing

Over 7,000 school choice supporters gathered in Phoenix, AZ on Friday to kick-off this year’s celebration – the largest event yet!  Check out some of the event’s highlights courtesy of ABC Phoenix and Univison.

Commemorating the week-long festivities, House Speaker John Boehner posted a video today to his official YouTube channel, issuing his support for parent choice. 

“Congress needs to open up the education system to include all forms of school choice, including private, charter, traditional public, and home schools,” said Speaker Boehner in the video.  “School choice has proven to boost graduation rates, improve parental satisfaction and increase student achievement.  If we restrict parents’ choices, we only harm our children’s future.”

Click below to watch Speaker Boehner’s message:



As thousands of school choice advocates, families, and students celebrate access to educational options, we’d like to highlight a few events this week, and encourage you to get involved:

• Tuesday, January 29: Kevin P. Chavous, Executive Counsel to American Federation for Children will be a featured panelist at the Nashville National School Choice Week Celebration.  Joined by WNBA star Lisa Leslie, Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne, and student leader Sandeep Thomas, Chavous will be moderating the discussion on the future of educational choice in Tennessee. 
• Wednesday, January 30: Thousands of families are expected to gather in Atlanta for the Georgia School Choice Celebration and Rally.  Sponsored by the Center for an Educated Georgia and the? Georgia Family Council, the event will bring together families and state legislators to celebrate the state’s school choice options and support for a quality education for all students.
• Saturday, February 2: The American Federation for Children will also be participating in a rally on Saturday in Houston, TX hosted by Families Empowered. Also, we’re proud to partner with the Institute for Justice to host a celebration for students currently enrolled in the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

For more information on how you can get involved in any of these events, please contact Randan Swindler – Rswindler (at) federationforchildren.org

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

2013: The Year of Education Choice?

While more students than ever have access to educational options this year—and you can get the full slate of numbers when our annual School Choice Yearbook is released next week—thousands more are still unable to attend the school of their choice. 

Robert Enlow, president and CEO of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, recently wrote an op-ed for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, calling on lawmakers across the country to expand or grant access to choice programs being considered in their state.

Student Enrollment in Charter Schools Continue to Rise

Little more than a week after voters in Georgia voted to greatly expand charter options in the state and voters in Washington voted to bring charter schools to the Evergreen State, our friends at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released a new study showing even more great news for educational choice!

In the 2011-12 school year, the charter school enrollment grew 13 percent over the previous year, according to the report.  And a record number of school districts have at least 30 percent of students enrolled in public charter schools.  In New Orleans, 76 percent of students are in charter schools.  Paired with the statewide expansion of the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program and a new scholarship tax rebate program, the Pelican State continues to expand educational choice.

This trend toward educational choice can be seen across the nation.  Just consider this:

• In 2012, five states created new private school choice programs and six programs were expanded.

• Voters overwhelmingly supported elected officials (both Republicans and Democrats) who support educational choice in state elections.  In fact, 83 percent of the candidates endorsed or supported by the American Federation for Children and the American Federation for Children Action Fund were elected.

Victories for Educational Choice

Across the country, Democrats and Republicans who support expanding educational choices win elections

Voters in the 2012 elections sent a clear message: they were going to support candidates who stand for educational options and strong reforms.

The American Federation for Children and its affiliated organizations endorsed more than 180 candidates who won their elections.  But beyond the Federation’s election work, education reform played a strong role in this year’s elections.

Here are the highlights from the 2012 elections:

• Georgia voters pass Amendment 1 to the state constitution, which will allow a key charter school authorizing committee to allow more charter schools to operate in the state.  Thanks to voters in Washington, the state became the 42^nd state to allow charter schools, beginning the trend toward creating strong educational choice in the Evergreen State.

• Indiana elected Mike Pence—a strong supporter of private school choice—to the Governorship.  While serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Pence supported the only federally-funded voucher program for students in Washington, D.C.

• All of the 10 candidates running in general elections in Arizona that were endorsed by the American Federation for Children won on Tuesday, including Rep. Kimberly Yee (R) and Rep. Barbara McGuire (D), both of whom won state senate seats.

• In Florida, a strong bipartisan coalition was elected or reelected with a mandate to expand educational options, including Representatives Bruce Antone (D), Cary Pigman (R), and Katie Edwards (D) and Senators Darren Soto (D) and Kelli Stargel (R).

• Tennessee voters elected a bipartisan coalition of members from the across the state, including Rep. John Ragan (R) and Rep. Tim Wirgau (R), as well as Dr. Steve Dickerson (R), who won a state senate seat. 

• In Ohio, House Democrats Bill Patmon and John Barnes were reelected, and in Wisconsin, Senator-Elect Rick Gudex provided a key victory by defeating Sen. Jessica King, who routinely criticized educational choice and Gudex’s support for it in candidate forums, thereby helping to flip the Senate and give a majority to educational choice supporters in the chamber.

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

On Election Day, Georgia to Move into National Spotlight

Voters in the swing states of Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and Colorado—among others—may be reacting to the overwhelming coverage of the election much like little Abigael did.  Yet, voters in other states have hardly seen a political ad yet—and won’t likely before tomorrow’s election.  But the Peach State—which is considered solidly Republican in the presidential race—has had a lot of talk when it comes to the election.

On tomorrow’s ballot, Georgia voters will consider Amendment 1, which would set up a special charter school authorizing commission to approve charter schools at the state level.  The proposed constitutional amendment comes after the state Supreme Court ruled the Commission unconstitutional last year.

The Amendment has brought out a lot of voices both in support and against the Amendment:  The Georgia-state chapter of the Parent-Teachers Association is strongly opposed to the amendment, despite the national PTA being a strong supporter of charter schools, while Kyle Wingfield of the Atlantic Journal Constitution and school choice advocates support the proposed measure.

When Georgia residents go to the polls tomorrow, they should ask what will help students get a great education and expand educational choices.  And as the nation watches whether President Obama or Governor Romney reaches the magic 270, we’ll also be watching to see if Amendment 1 passes—as it should.

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

National PTA Embraces More Educational Options; At Odds with Georgia Chapter

The national Parent Teacher Association (PTA) took a significant step forward in embracing additional educational options when the group recently amended its policy to support all entities to have the ability to approve high-quality charter schools.  A change from just supporting charter schools approved by local school boards, the PTA recognizes that nearly half of all charter schools across the country are approved by non-school board entities.

The board of directors of the National PTA adopted the measures—the first change in policy since 1995—last month.  The new policy wants its support to “extend to all authorizing bodies and public charter schools,” as long as they meet high standards.  With more than five million members, this pledge to ensure that children have access to more educational options is a step that should be applauded by parents, teachers, and educational reforms.

But not everyone in the PTA is happy.

The Georgia chapter of the PTA does not agree with this new policy—and in fact, is actively working to ensure that Georgia does not reinstate a critical state authorizing board of charter schools.

More focused on keeping education at the local level, than on ensuring that children attend the school that best fits their individual needs, the Georgia PTA is opposing an amendment to the state constitution that voters will decide the fate of this November.

Reestablishing the Commission would significantly strengthen the educational options in Georgia, a state that currently educates more than 48,000 children in charter schools and more than 11,000 children in two publicly funded private school choice programs.

School Choice Now! applauds the work of the National Parent Teacher Association on promoting more educational options for children.  Let’s hope the Georgia chapter can get on board because high-quality options are a benefit to both parents and teachers—which is what the Parent Teacher Association should be all about.

To check out some organizations that support the ballot initiative, visit Brighter Georgia Education Coalition and Families for Better Public Schools.

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

Georgia Department of Revenue Shows Growth in School Choice Program

The Georgia Department of Revenue last week released updated information (PDF) on its scholarship tax credit program.  Originally enacted in 2008, the program has grown from serving 3,000 students in the 2009-10 school year to more than 10,000 students this past school year.  In fact, the state Department of Revenue reports that 11,292 scholarships were awarded to eligible students in 2011-12!

More than 17,000 individuals and 196 businesses donated more than $47 million dollars to the program, resulting in $39,456,599 in scholarships awarded.

Check out all of the numbers:

Total Contributions	17,238
Individual Contributions	17,042
Corporate Contributions	196

Total Donated to Student Scholarship Organizations	47,358,986
Individual Donations	$31,095,340
Corporate Donations	$16,263,646

Total Value of Scholarships Awarded	$39,456,599
Total Scholarships Award	11,292
Average Scholarship	$3,494

  

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

Poll: Support for Charter School Amendment in the Peach State

A poll released late last week shows strong support among likely Georgia voters for a proposed constitutional amendment that will appear on the state ballot this November. The proposed measure would reinstate a key charter school authorizing commission, thereby increasing the number of educational options available to Peach State families.  

Earlier this year, the state legislaturepassed House Resolution 1162 after the state Supreme Court ruled that the Georgia Charter Schools Commission was unconstitutional.  The Commission was a state-level authorizing board that could approve charter schools that had been denied approval at the local level.

The Georgia Charter Schools Association released the poll, which shows 58 percent of those surveyed supporting the amendment. McLaughlin & Associates conducted the poll on March 29-30, surveying 600 likely voters. 

Among the findings, 38 percent strongly supported the amendment and 20 percent reported probable support. A total of 19 percent were undecided.  The survey also showed that 62 percent of respondents under the age of 55 supported the measure.

Reestablishing the Commission would significantly strengthen the educational options in Georgia, a state that currently educates more than 48,000 children in charter schools and more than 11,000 children in two publicly funded private school choice programs.

Facts Fall to the Wayside in Today's New York Times

After reading Stephanie Saul’s attack on scholarship tax credit programs in today’s New York Times, it would be easy to see how a person could come away being weary of the programs. But that's before one considers something that's conspicuously missing from Saul's story: the facts.

Saul highlights the Georgia Scholarship Tax Credit Program—making the Georgia program sound like the pith of the ten scholarship tax credit programs across the nation.  The program serves approximately 8,131 students (which Saul fails to report)—or only 6.3 percent of the 128,792 students who participate in private scholarship tax credit programs.  Thus, the Georgia program only represents a small minority of scholarship tax credit programs nationwide.

She also fails to mention the programs in Indiana, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island, instead only making reference to Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Some of those other states might have been helpful in showing some context.

The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, for example, serves nearly 40,000 students, yet the program is hardly mentioned in the story.  In fact, Saul does not mention the flagship program until the 16th paragraph, where she writes:

Some states have moved to tighten restrictions after receiving complaints.  In Florida, where the scholarships are strictly controlled to make sure they go to poor families, only corporations are eligible for the tax credits, eliminating the chance of parents donating for their own benefit.  Also, all scholarships are handled by one nonprofit organization, and its fees are limited to 3 percent of donations.  Florida also permits the scholarships to move with the students if they elect to change schools.

This “positive” aspect of the Florida program is shrouded in negative light.  A more balanced way of talking about the program:

The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, created in 2001, serves nearly 40,000 students in the 2011-12 school year.  To be eligible for the program, students must qualify for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program—which in 2011 would require a family income of not more than $41,348 for a family of four.  The program has also been the subject of numerous students from both independent evaluators and the state.  

Proposed Changes to Georgia Voucher Program Will Strengthen Opportunities for Students with Special Needs

The Georgia constitutional amendment for a charter school authorizing commission isn’t the only school choice news making headlines in the Peach State.  The state legislature is working to expand the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program, a voucher program for children with special needs.

House Bill 181 includes several changes to strengthen the the program, which helps nearly 3,000 students attend the school of their parents’ choice.  Both the House and Senate have passed the bill, but the House must vote on the amended Senate version before the legislation heads to the governor’s desk.

Here are the proposed changes to the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program included in House Bill 181:

• Specific Parent Notification Policies: Requires stronger parent notification policies so that parents of eligible students know the educational options available to their children and be able to make the educational choice that best meets their child’s needs.  

• Multiple Enrollment Dates: Creates three enrollment dates of August 1, October 1, and March 1 each school year so parents have the option to enroll in a school that best meets their child’s educational needs.  If a student enrolled in a participating school continues to struggle, multiple enrollment dates will allow parents to find a school that better meets their educational needs, instead of staying in an ill-fitting school for an entire year.

• Payment Deadlines: Establishes specific dates for when tuition money must be paid to participating schools, allowing schools to better serve their students.  Specific payment deadlines will allow schools to remain in the program.  Currently, many schools do not receive payments from the state for months and have been forced to leave the program due to the financial strains.  This will allow more schools to participate and stay in the program and provide more options for kids!

• Individual Education Program (IEP) Requirements: An erroneous rule change in 2010 required students to have an IEP for an entire school year prior to participating in the program.  House Bill 181 requires that students have an IEP at some point during the year.  This was the original intent of the law and will remove unnecessary barriers for students.  If a child attending public school is diagnosed with a learning disability and receives an IEP in October, the student would have to remain in public for another entire year before becoming eligible for the program.  This change allows students who need more options, to have access to those options in a timely manner.

Created in 2007, the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program serves 2,965 students with special needs in the 2011-12 school year.   

Though these changes are technical, they will without a doubt strengthen and streamline the program, thereby providing even more help to thousands of students across Georgia.

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

Candidate Training Schools: Sign Up! Make a Difference!

We’ve already told you about the Indiana Candidate Training School that’s happening tomorrow (and there’s still room, so sign up here), but we’re hearing news that our school will be coming to Georgia!

The American Federation Campaign Training Schools are a great way for Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and everyone else to learn about running for public office.  We’re not partisan here, but we do want to elect candidates who will stand for our children—and that’s on BOTH sides of the aisle.

So if you want to be named a school choice champion, or vote ‘yes’ in support of smart, accountable school choice legislation, or make a difference in thousands of children’s lives, attend this school. 

Here are the details:

Georgia Campaign Training School

Friday, April 20, 2012

Hilton Garden Inn—Atlanta Downtown

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

RSVP at www.VictoryforChildren.org

Data Snapshot: Georgia

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

The Peach State strengthened and expanded its scholarship tax credit program, which provides scholarships for more than 8,000 students.  The bipartisan legislation allows students entering first grade to participate in the program, increases the program’s transparency and accountability, and expands the time that donors can make contributions.  Speaking of contributions, the program also reached an historic landmark in 2011.  For the first time in the program’s four-year history, donations from individuals and businesses reached the statewide cap of $50 million!

In addition, Georgia has a special needs scholarship program that helps almost 3,000 students attend the school of their parents’ choice.

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 2
• Total Number of Students: 11,096
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 204*
• Total Expenditures: $66,219,797

*Data only available for Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program

Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program

A voucher program that grants scholarships to special needs students to attend the private school of their parents’ choice. 

    2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 2,965
• Schools Participating: 204
• 2011 Expenditures: $16,219,797

    Growth in Student Participation

Georgia Scholarship Tax Credit Program

Enacted in 2008, this scholarship tax credit program provides tax credits to individuals and businesses that donate money for scholarships.  The program reached the statewide cap of $50 million in donations in 2011.  The program was expanded to allow students entering first grade to participate, increase accountability standards, and expand the donation window.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 8,131
• Schools Participating: Not Available
• SSOs Operating: 39
• 2011 Expenditures: $50,000,000

    Growth in Student Participation

2012 Outlook

Georgia has big plans in 2012.  The legislature is working to amend the state constitution after the state Supreme Court ruled against the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, essentially closing the state’s charter schools that provide choice to thousands of Peach State families.  In the private school choice world, legislators are introducing a new statewide voucher program for low- and middle-income students, as well as continuing to strengthen and expand its two existing school choice programs.

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

Governors Feature Education Reform in State of the State Addresses

Tis the season! And by season we mean it’s that time of year when governors from across the country present their State of the State addresses. Year after year, these remarks always include the obligatory statements on what improvements should be made, how certain policies have been enacted, and of course, the goals for the next twelve months. 

This year, however, we’ve noticed something new creeping into the rhetoric of our nation’s executive leaders: an education reform plan. That’s right – so far sixteen governors have presented their outline for 2012 – and we’re pleased with what they have to say!

All across the country – from Arizona to Indiana – the sparks created for school choice in 2011 have created a fire in our national leaders. And they’re not afraid to take bold steps in the fight to reform America’s education system by providing more choice to parents and more opportunities to students.

Here are a few highlights from some of the recent State of the State addresses:

“Our state is a leader in allowing parents to choose a school that best meets their children’s needs.” – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer

“If we continue to create a culture of excellence in our schools, Florida will merit a full chapter in that history that describes the reawakening of a mighty, prosperous nation. We can do this. And, we begin to do this by building on the successes of last session when we increased school choices for Florida’s parents.” – Florida Governor Rick Scott

“To spur innovation, I am recommending $8.7 million in supplemental grants in both the Amended budget and next year’s budget for state chartered special schools affected by the Georgia Supreme Court ruling on charter schools. These schools are key to Georgia’s educational success.” – Georgia Governor Nathan Deal

 “…Others are following Indiana. It’s our new commitment to rewarding the best teachers, liberating principals and superintendents, and providing low- and middle-income parents the same choices as their wealthier neighbors; and that’s what has caught the world’s attention.” – Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

"In America, you do not have a right to have everything your neighbor has, you do not have a right to a big house or a fancy car and you do not have a right to redistribute your neighbor's wealth. But I would suggest that we long ago decided that every kid does have a right to a quality education from an excellent teacher. And by getting a good education, kids then do have the opportunity to pursue their dreams."  – Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal 

We are so pleased to see these school choice champions stand in front of their state leadership and declare that 2012 will be another successful year for families. Understanding that these Governors have a lot of priorities, we hope you’ll join us in giving them praise for giving education reform a platform in their 2012 State of the State addresses.

Stay tuned for more updates on State of the State addresses from other governors. 

Something to Sing about in the Peach State

Grammy-winning singer Marvin Sapp wowed a
packed, reform-minded church in Georgia yesterday.

What does an award winning and Grammy nominated musician have to do with education reform?  In Georgia—a lot.

Marvin Sapp—the eight-time Grammy nominated gospel singer from Grand Rapids, Mich. spoke last night at "Educating our Future: The Fight for Georgia’s Children," hosted by the Center for an Educated Georgia and the Alliance for School Choice.

The event, an informational forum about education reform and how the community can get involved, drew nearly 1,000 supporters.

Sapp, who sang two songs at the event, spoke about his strong support for education reform, as well as his plans to open the GREAT School, a charter school focused on the arts in his home town of Grand Rapids.

Originally a passion of his late wife, Sapp has continued to pursue opening a charter school following the death of his wife last year.

“The reason I came here is two-fold,” said Sapp, referring to participating on a panel discussion on education reform and, of course, singing a couple of hit songs for the excited crowd.

Right Now In Georgia: Award-Winning Singer Marvin Sapp Discusses Education Reform

We'll have much more to bring you from the event tomorrow, but right now, we wanted to give you a sneak peak at the full recap we'll be providing tomorrow on a special even we're co-hosting starring legendary gospel singer Marvin Sapp. The full details can be found here, but read below for some perspective on why we're so excited about the event, courtesy our own David Morgan:

You have to have a great messenger when you’re trying to do something radically different. 

Education impacts us all. When you have a well-educated society, that’s just a win-win for everybody involved…We want to make sure that children and families have every opportunity available to get a good education and are not deprived due to geography or income. 

I believe in strong public education and I also believe that families should have options. That makes a huge difference.

We'll bring you a full update of all the songs and important discussion tomorrow, so stay tuned to this space to  get the full recap.

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

Former Education Secretary Urges Business Community to Spearhead Education Reform

(From L-R) Former Education Secretary Rod Paige, CEG
Director Jerri Nims Rooker, and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.

ATLANTA - Former Education Secretary Rod Paige yesterday joined local and national education experts at an event which engaged business leaders in expanding educational options for Peach State families, highlighting the importance of improving education for Georgia’s economic future.

The event, titled “ROI: Education is Your Business,” was sponsored by the American Federation for Children, the Center for an Educated Georgia at Georgia Family Council, the Georgia Charter Schools Association, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. It featured remarks by Governor Nathan Deal and a strategy session hosted by and featuring prominent business leaders discussing education reform.

Paige urged attendees, which included several state legislators, to make education a primary focus of the Georgia business community. He cited lagging achievement statistics and a growing gap among demographic groups as hurdles to recruiting businesses and an educated, skilled workforce.

“No society can long survive, no culture can long flourish, no economy can long prosper, when it leaves behind as many children to poverty and ignorance as we are doing now in this great country," Paige said. "We simply must muster up the courage to face the brutal fact that how our education system is working is not working.”

Focusing on education in Georgia, Paige said the state’s large achievement gap between blacks and whites was equivalent to two grade levels.

"It is even below the national graduation rate," he said. "And like the rest of our nation, there is a 25-point difference between the performance of our African-American students and their Anglo peers. We have a problem.”

Paige, who served as Secretary of Education during President George W. Bush’s first term, said that that the keys to increasing Georgia’s economic standing are changing what does not work in our current public education system and allowing educational innovation through expanded education options for those who need them  most.

A Reminder of Why We Do What We Do

(Education reformers often get so bogged down with the politics of their work that they lose sight of why they're intent on reforming American education in the first place. In our effort to avoid falling into that trap, from time to time we're going to make sure we share some of the stories of success that exist as a result of school choice. Today, we invite you to read one of them.)

Moving to a new school is always tough. But when you’re moving to a new school in a different country and you don’t speak a word of the language, it might seem insurmountable. And that was exactly the scenario facing Mariana Guzman when she moved to Atlanta from Mexico City five years ago.

She only spoke Spanish, and found herself having to acclimate quickly to a completely different environment. Now she’s excelling at the Ivy Preparatory Academy in Atlanta, a charter school she almost never discovered. 

“After I graduated from elementary school, I was deciding where I was going to attend middle school,” Mariana said. “I was scared, learning a new language, meeting new people. My counselor gave us an application for Ivy Preparatory Academy, and it has completely changed my life.”

Mariana’s inspiring story was shared with thousands at the National Charter Schools Conference earlier this month, where she not only took the stage to talk about education, but also to showcase her significant singing talents. The song she sang was in English, too—a skill that was refined thanks to Ivy Prep. “It’s just a great experience,” Mariana said. “It made me realize that miracles do happen.”

Unfortunately for Mariana and her classmates, their school is grappling with the challenge of securing funding for the upcoming school year after the State Supreme Court ruled last month that the Georgia Charter Schools Commission is unconstitutional. Watch a local news report about some of the difficulties facing Ivy Prep as a result of the ruling: 

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

We're live tweeting the National Charter Schools Conference today and tomorrow!

We're at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools' National Charter Schools Conference in Atlanta this week. To follow along, navigate over to our Twitter feed today and tomorrow, at www.twitter.com/SchoolChoiceNow.

Right now we're waiting to hear from Newark Mayor Cory Booker and President Bill Clinton! Stay tuned all day and tomorrow for the latest updates.

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