A St Patty’s Day Special Edition…Finding Rainbows…Driving out Snakes and a much needed Irish Blessing.
Opportunity Knocks…Progress to #FundFamilies (not failure)…ICYMI a glance at last week’s virtual extravaganza!
CHARTERS HELP KIDS AND DISTRICTS. Most of you won’t ever hear those words, so we’ll help you to say them. Charters – Help – Kids – AND – Districts. This in-depth study of charters’ effects on local districts makes. the unambiguous conclusion that charters improved their host districts’ finances in total revenue per pupil, total spending per pupil, local revenue per pupil, and per-pupil spending on support services. So there.
DESTINY AND CHARTERS. The story of Destiny Jackson should be front-page news. The Philly native, who was once homeless and in foster care now has been accepted to over 50 colleges.This graduate of Belmont Charter High School epitomizes perseverance, and without finding a school that fit her perfectly, Destiny, in many ways, may have been lost.
A CHARTER WEEK HIT. We were so grateful to have nine top leaders from a diversity of charter schools, locations and demographics join us to share their success at overcoming the odds during Covid, since Covid, and in general. From a fight in lower-income West Palm Beach that resulted in equity, to a fight in West Virginia that resulted in a new law (woot, woot!) to the reminder from DC’s own Statesmen Prep founder Shawn Hardnett that “there’s a group of kids out there who have not been served and they need us…we cannot make the mistake of resting on our laurels …we need to fight,” and so much more, you will want to run, not walk, to see this event on CER’s Action Series video page.
BURY THE BIGOTRY OF BLAINE. It should be required reading for every citizen and would-be American. Espinoza v. Montana Dept of Revenue put the deliberately anti-Catholic, anti-religion Blaine amendments of the late 1800s on the chopping block but each state must challenge their own by law or lawsuits. Check out what South Carolina attempted, as CER’s Jeanne Allen and former Solicitor General/Kirkland & Ellis partner Paul Clement explain in The Hill.
THANK YOU, RANDI. More and more states are buoyed by both the freedom imparted by Espinoza (not to mention Randi Weingarten’s deceitful actions) to empower families and kids. Florida expanded private school scholarships and vouchers by $200 million. Kitty-corner on the map, Montana just expanded the tax credit for donations to fund public-school “innovative educational” programs, the national picture shows the largest expansion of school choice in U.S. history. At least 50 school choice bills have been introduced in 30 states so far, designed to create or expand vouchers, tax-credit scholarships and education savings accounts, among other measures. Follow the bouncing ball for regular updates at Edreform.com’s Parent Power Index!
In other news, a new survey found that 71% of California Black registered voters surveyed support charters. “Nearly all of California’s top majority Black public schools are actually charter schools led or founded by Black people who have used chartering to specifically create schools that are open to all and aimed at educating Black children to a level of excellence.” The power of choice.
All this progress doesn’t happen by accident. Education Opportunity and Innovation is just pure common sense, good policy and good for families. Keep speaking out, be active, challenge those who stand in the way and start your own schools or efforts. We’ve seen these head-winds before. They are not changing course. Let us know how we can help you!
Speaking of winds… this standard is a must listen today...Four Strong Winds, performed by the iconic Kingston Trio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbJs-xSXnMM
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education. We’re always delighted to hear from our readers…suggestions, questions and even the occasional complaint!