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.

Indiana School Choice Program to Return Millions Back to State’s Schools

Parents deserve educational choices, not excuses. And, one of the biggest excuses from the “anti-school choice” crowd is the claim that school choice drains funds from public education. However, new data indicates that Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program could save the state millions of dollars, all while providing parents with the opportunity to choose the best school for their child. 

Check out this article by TheStateHouseFile.com’s Megan Banta below for more info on how this school choice program is helping students and saving money:

“Indiana’s voucher program could return just under $5 million to the state’s schools this year – nearly $800,000 more than last year, the state’s top school finance officer said Wednesday.

“Melissa Ambre, director of the Indiana Department of Education’s office of school finance, told the State Budget Committee that the voucher program will result in a maximum of $4.9 million in redistributed savings statewide this year…”

“…School vouchers only cover up to 90 percent of the cost of a student’s private school education, the state gets back at least 10 percent of the per-pupil education funds set aside for those students that use vouchers. That remaining money is then pumped back into the statewide school funding formula.

“This year’s $4.9 million is more than the amount distributed last year, when the state distributed between $4.1 million and $4.2 million in savings to 292 public schools and 63 charter schools.”

AFC's Kevin P. Chavous Featured Guest on PBS NewsHour

If you have been following our Facebook and Twitter pages closely, you are aware that AFC’s Kevin P. Chavous was a featured guest on Monday’s PBS NewsHour.    Kevin, along with National Education Association president Dennis Van Roekel, discussed the Indiana Supreme Courtdecision upholding the state’s voucher program, along with the call to provide low- to middle-income families with educational options. 

If you happened to miss it, you are in luck!  Click below to watch the full interview.   

 

 

Kevin’s remarks were also the focus of a piece written by D.C. charter advocate Mark Lerner today in the Examiner in support of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.   Lerner said, “I love the urgency of Mr. Chavous' remarks. We know we are tens of thousands of high quality education seats short in the nation's capital. So as we allow competition to fix our public education system why don't we expand the Opportunity Scholarship Program to assist many more than the 1,600 children currently enrolled in the plan?”

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

Indiana Supreme Court Decides in Favor of Families

In a 5-0 vote, the Indiana State Supreme Court voted in favor of upholding the state’s school voucher program yesterday. 

The Supreme Court decision ended a two-year legal review of the Choice Scholarship Program.  When the program became law in July 2011, the Indiana State Teachers’ Association along with the National Education Association filed suit, challenging the constitutionality of the program.  (Follow the program’s legal journey here: November 2012,  December 2011, August 2011, and the program's passage and original legal challenge in July 2011.) 

The monumental decision allows thousands of Indiana students to continue to receive the education of their parent’s choice, ensuring all students are given same opportunities, no matter their parent’s income or their zip code. 

Currently, more than 9,300 low- and middle-income students receive scholarships to attend one of 289 participating schools through the Choice Scholarship Program.  To be eligible for the program, students qualifying for the federal free-and-reduced lunch program ($42,643 for a family of four) can receive a scholarship worth up to 90 percent of the state tuition amount. Children from families who earn up to 150 percent of the free-and-reduced lunch eligibility ($63,964 for a family of four) are eligible for a scholarship for up to 50 percent of the tuition amount.

 

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

IN House Votes to Expand Private School Choice Program

Thousands of low-income students in the Hoosier State are one step closer to receiving an education that works for their needs, thanks to moves made by the state House to approve the expansion of the state’s private school choice program.

House Bill 1003 passed the House chamber by a vote of 57-36 on Thursday.

In a press release announcing the vote, bill sponsor Rep. Bob Behning (R-91) said, “This legislation will give many Hoosier students the ability to access areas of education that are currently out of reach due to financial limitations. 

“We are telling people that, here in Indiana, our education system knows no boundaries and wants to give every student the best possible start. I firmly believe that every Hoosier student deserves the chance to learn and every parent the choice to decide what is in the best interest of their child,” continued Rep. Behning.

Some of the changes the bill makes to the current law include providing incoming kindergartners with access to the program and lightening eligibility requirements for children in military and foster families, and for special needs students.

The bill also allows family incomes of current scholarship recipients to rise above the initial limits to about $84,000 a year without jeopardizing their child’s scholarship.

According to our 2013 School Choice Yearbook data, 9,324 students received scholarships to attend the school of their choice for the 2012-13 school year.  This number was nearly 6,000 more than the number of students who took advantage of the program in its first year, which was the 2011-12 school year.

Indiana is also home to the Corporate and Individual Scholarship Tax Credit Program, which allowed 2,890 students to receive a quality education in 2012-13.

- 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.

Is Tony Bennett Headed to Florida?

Education reformers are still disappointed with Tony Bennett's loss earlier this month in his re-election bid for superintendent of public instruction in Indiana; now speculation has begun on his next gig.

The rumor?

Tony Bennett is headed to Florida to be the next education commissioner.

According to Education Week, Bennett has said that this reelection campaign would be his last run for elected office, but…

Bennett reportedly wants to work on education issues and hasn’t ruled out government jobs—including as state superintendent of another state.  And he’s had some discussions about such opportunities.

"I've said many times, I have an addiction," Bennett said. "It's called driving ed reform policy. It's my drug of choice."

Milwaukee Voucher Program Enrollment Hits New Record

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is reporting that a record-breaking number of students are participating this year in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Nearly 25,000 students are attending the private school of their parents’ choice thanks to the nation’s longest running voucher program.

These enrollment numbers join a host of other school choice programs enrolling more students than ever before:

• Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program: 9,324
• Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship: 48,938
• Louisiana’s Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program: 4,944
• Ohio’s Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program: 1,544
• Wisconsin’s Racine Parental Choice Program: 500 (the cap for the program’s second year)
• Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Parental Choice Program: 24,941

Make sure to look for the Alliance for School Choice's 2012-13 Yearbook, to be released in January, which will have all the latest data on each of the 32 publicly-funded private school choice programs around the country.

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

BREAKING NEWS: Indiana Voucher Program Participation Grows to 9,324

We told you a while back that that more than 9,000 Indiana students are participating in Indiana’s statewide voucher program during the 2012-13 school year, more than twice the number who enrolled in the program during its first year.

And now, the Indiana Department of Education announced last week that the exact number of students participating in the Choice Scholarship Program is 9,324 students—that’s an increase of more than 138 percent. The Indy Star notes that the Choice Scholarship Program is the fastest growing program in history.  And it’s not just enrollment that’s increasing: the number of participating schools increased from 241 last year to 289 schools in the 2012-13 school year.

Check back here throughout the next couple of weeks for more enrollment numbers from programs across the country.

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

An Update from the Courts

A number of opponents of educational choice have taken to the courts to litigate the future of the programs benefiting low-income families across the country. Here's an update on where things stand nationwide:

Indiana: On Wednesday, the Indiana Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the Choice Scholarship Program that was enacted into law in 2012.  Twelve plaintiffs, including the newly-elected state superintendent of public education, have sued the state claiming the program in unconstitutional.  Marion Superior Judge Michael Keele rejected this claim earlier this year and ruled that the program is constitutional.  In the 2012-13 school year, more than 9,000 students are using a Choice Scholarship to attend the school of their parents’ choice. 

Louisiana: After the Louisiana state legislature—with strong bipartisan support—passed the statewide expansion of the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program statewide, the Louisiana Association of Educator sued to prevent the program from going forward. After a delay, the court date on the program is scheduled for November 28.

Oklahoma: In June, a Tulsa judge ruled the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program unconstitutional and there is no word on when the appeal will be heard, though Representative Jason Nelson predicts the program will be heard early next year.  In the 2012-13 school year, 188 students are participating in the program and three new schools are accepting voucher students.

Douglas County, Colorado: The Colorado State Court of Appeals is hearing oral arguments today on the constitutionality of the Douglas County Choice Scholarship Program.  The lower court put an injunction on the program from moving forward after the program was created for students living in the Douglas County School District.

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

An Educational Choice Champion for Indiana’s Families: Tony Bennett

The education reform movement was saddened to learn Tuesday that Indiana State Superintendent of Public Education Tony Bennett lost his seat to challenger Glenda Ritz.

Bennett has gained widespread praise for his education reforms since being elected, which include revamping teacher evaluations, leading state take-overs of struggling public schools, and expanding educational options.  In that last category, Bennett has been hailed for expanding charter schools and leading efforts to create a statewide voucher program. That voucher program, the Choice Scholarship Program, enrolled nearly 4,000 students in the program’s first year and more than 9,000 students in the program’s second year.

Dr. Bennett has dedicated his life to improving the lives of children. Before becoming superintendent, he spent his career working as a teacher, coach, and assistant superintendent. He holds a bachelor's and a master's degree from Indiana University Southeast and received his Ed.D. and Superintendent's License from Spalding University.

Earlier this year, the Alliance for School Choice awarded Bennett its John T. Walton Champions for School Choice Award, which is given to a prominent leader in the school choice movement for groundbreaking and dedicated work for America’s children. 

The election loss is a sad moment for Indiana’s children, but thanks to a strong coalition of advocates and elected officials, we’re certain that educational options will continue to thrive in the Hoosier State. And no matter what Bennett does next, we know he'll be working to improve the lives of children.

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

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

BREAKING NEWS: More than 9,000 Indiana Students Participating in Voucher Program

We at School Choice Now! are pleased to bring you some breaking news from Indiana: more than 9,000 students are enrolled in the statewide voucher program this year! That's more than double the number who participated in the program last year, the first year of the flagship program.

Here's what our senior advisor (and Indiana native) Kevin P. Chavous had to say about the great news:

These numbers indicate what we've known all along—that parents want the option to send their child to the school that best fits their needs. Indiana is a great example of how educational choice empowers parents and provides hope for disadvantaged children.  We look forward to the program expanding for years to come.

Created in 2011, the Choice Scholarship Program is one of the most accountable private school choice programs in the country.  Indiana broke records last year for the highest first year enrollment of nearly 4,000 students.  Now, only in the program’s second year, the number of students more than doubled.

Click here to read our press release and find out more.

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

Meet Jaevion

In its second year, the Choice Scholarship Program in Indiana enrolled more than 8,000 students in the program—more than doubled the enrollment of the program’s first year.  One of the students participating in the program is Jaevion.

“As a single mother, I had lost the ability to, not just give my son the great education he deserved, but to finance an appropriate and fitting education for Jaevion,” said Jeronna, Jaevion’s mother.  “Up until recently, Jaevion and I were homeless.  During that time, I didn’t think sending my son to a school where he would thrive would even be possible, but then, the voucher program came along and there was renewed hope that Jaevion could receive the quality education I have always wanted for him. So, we applied and were accepted into the voucher program.”

The teaching strategy that Jaevion’s school uses has encouraged his desire to learn more and to earn good grades.  In fact, Jaevion enjoys attending school every day and is more committed than ever before to reading.

“There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Jaevion is exactly where he needs to be in order to thrive academically,” says Jaevion’s mother.

The Choice Scholarship Program was created in 2011 and had the highest first year enrollment of any voucher program at nearly 4,000 students.  This year, more than 8,000 students are participating in the program.  

Watch a video below about Jaevion and his mother:

   

BREAKING NEWS: Participation in Indiana’s Voucher Program to More Than Double this School Year

More than 8,000 students have been awarded vouchers under Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program, a voucher program signed into law last year by Governor Mitch Daniels.

The highly-accountable Choice Scholarship Program is a scholarship program designed for children from low- and middle-income families to attend the school of their parents’ choice.  The program, which was capped in its first year at 7,500 students, is capped at 15,000 students this school year.  Beginning in the 2013-14 school year, the enrollment cap is removed.

After Governor Daniels signed the voucher program into law in 2011, nearly 4,000 children participated in the program during the 2011-12 school year, the largest first-year enrollment ever in a voucher program. 

With more than 8,000 students participating in the program next year—paired with the statewide expansion of Louisiana’s voucher program—the number of students participating in private school choice programs is expected to dramatically rise over the 2011 figure of more than 210,000 students.

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

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.  

Want to See Education Reform Enacted?

Listen to Uncle Sam: It’s Time for YOU to be a Leader in Enacts Education Reform

Political action has always been an essential part of the United States.  From the 1780s, when our constitution was debated (think: the original town halls) and ratified, to casting a vote in this week’s Super Tuesday primaries, Americans have always exercised our voice in voting.

At the same time, the U.S. Congress has a nine percent approval rating, every president in recent memory struggles to keep one step ahead of rising levels of disapproval, and we’re seeing education reform stall in states across the nation.  We’ve voted, but it’s time to do more.

In fact, you can do more!

Have you ever had an inkling to run for political office?  Maybe the state legislature, a state or local school board, mayor, or city council?  If you have, Uncle Sam wants you to attend one of the American Federation for Children's Campaign Training Schools!

Data Snapshot: Indiana

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. Last week we told you what was happening in the Bayou State, and today we have the data snapshot of school choice in Indiana.

The Hoosier State had a GREAT year in school choice, expanding its scholarship tax credit program and creating the nation’s broadest voucher program. Take a look

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 2
• Total Number of Students: 4,509
•  Total Number of Participating Schools: 241*
• Total Expenditures: $814,106*

*Data not available for both programs

Choice Scholarship Program

A means-test voucher program that grants scholarships to students from low- and middle-income families to attend the private school of their parents’ choice.  This program was enacted in 2011 and had the most participants in its first year than any other program.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• ·   Scholarships Awarded: 3,919
• ·   Schools Participating: 241
• ·   2011 Expenditures: Not Available

q                Growth in Student Participation

       

f                 

f

Corporate and Individual Scholarship Tax Credit Program

Enacted in 2009, this scholarship tax credit program provides tax credits to individuals and businesses that donate money for scholarships.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• ·   Scholarships Awarded: 590
• ·   Schools Participating: Not Available
• ·   2011 Expenditures: $814,106

f                Growth in Student Participation

      

f                

2012 Outlook

The Choice Scholarship Program’s student enrollment cap is increased to allow 15,000 students in the 2012-13 school year, allowing even more students to access the school of their parents’ choice.

- 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. 

Court Fight Over Successful Voucher Program Continues in Indiana

Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program, the voucher program signed into law by Governor Daniels earlier this year, helps almost 4,000 low- and middle-income students go to the school of their parents’ choice.  The broadest voucher program in the nation, the program allows families to choose the best educational options for their children.

But opponents and special interests—those who are more interested in the status quo than maximizing positive outcomes for children—are fighting a legal battle to get Indiana’s voucher program repealed, despite numerous challenges across the country in recent years that have upheld the constitutionality of school choice programs.

Yesterday, a Marion County judge heard arguments from both sides on the constitutionality of the program and will issue a ruling in 30 days. Lasting more than two hours, opponents of the program (including the Indiana State Teachers Association) argued that the program is unconstitutional, and if a ruling by a Marion County judge earlier this year is any indication, they’re wrong.

That’s also the opinion held by Attorney General Greg Zoeller, who says the Choice Scholarship Program is putting education choice in the hands of parents.