We’re
not too into new year’s resolutions here at School
Choice Now!, but we’re always looking forward, and we’re excited about the
education reform prospects in 2012. With
the breakthrough year that was 2011, which included seven new and 11 expanded
private school choice programs, we’re working hard to make sure that in 2012, we
can keep the momentum going.
Every
state has the chance to create a publicly-funded private school choice program,
but here are the states to watch in 2012:
- New Jersey: With the support of Governor Chris Christie and championed by Senator Thomas Kean, Jr. (R) and Assemblyman Angel Fuentes (D), the Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA) would create a five-year corporate tax credit scholarship program allowing low-income children stuck in failing schools to attend the school of their parents’ choice. The post-election legislative session ends on January 9, but neither legislative chamber has voted on the OSA. If the legislature doesn’t take up the bill in the lame duck session, we’re committed to making sure that the bill is a priority in the 2012-13 legislative session. Take a look at a video below that capture's just what's at stake in New Jersey:
- Pennsylvania: The Keystone State had a year of highs and lows in terms of educational choice. But 2012 is another shot at creating real educational reform. Senate Bill 1, which passed the Senate—but was not taken up in the House—created a statewide voucher program for children in the bottom five percent of Pennsylvania schools and increase funding for the state’s popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. The governor supports the bill and with bipartisan support in the legislature, it’s time the two chambers work to get a bill passed.
- North Carolina: With a great first step accomplished in 2011 (the state created an individual tuition tax credit for parents of students with special needs), the state is looking to create more educational options with equal opportunity scholarships via a corporate scholarship tax credit program.
