EdChoice

Alexandria Speller worked as a special education teacher but she continued to notice a certain challenge—special ed students who needed specialized attention the most often found themselves with the fewest options. That's when she started to explore other educational choice options. https://lnkd.in/eR5n-Pgu

The President's public support of school choice and his signing of an executive order expanding choice for military and Native American families has signaled a shift toward universal educational freedom in this country. Research assistant Cooper Conway's piece describes how this is in alignment with Milton and Rose Friedman's vision for education. https://lnkd.in/eduX-q7P

Along with all students being eligible for all school choice options, another element of school choice universality is all funding following the student. School choice programs must award all available dollars to students because they deserve to have the same state funding set aside for them in their district of residence.

"Why don't we push the money to the people closest to the decision-making and empower them to solve problems for their student?" EdChoice's Director of National Research Mike McShane joined Chicago's Morning Answer radio show to discuss his recent testimony to Congress, recent research, and why we need to do something different in regard to educating kids. Listen to the full segment here: https://lnkd.in/giA4k3kX

Public school employees in districts that saw enrollment declines and enrollment gains in the academic years 2015 and 2019 received increases in compensation about double the cost of living. Districts with declining enrollment got slightly higher increases in compensation than gaining districts. Enrollment Decline report: https://lnkd.in/gZ3V4RSk

While Utah has achieved “universal choice” their Friedman Index score is 2 because of how few students can utilize state funds for a choice program. While they have universal eligibility, funding caps prohibit the state from achieving a higher Index score. Friedman Index report: https://lnkd.in/gYrKFqAP

Thank you, Mike for your testimony and dedication to educating others on the power of educational freedom for families. Every child deserves to learn wherever is the best fit for them and having support to do so #AllStudents #AllOptions #AllDollars

When the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled against the Education Scholarship Trust Fund they pulled the rug from under so many families relying on that program. Families like Allison and her son Kolten are left not knowing what the future will be, all they know is that this program was helping and now they don't have that help. https://lnkd.in/gJCegkM9

March is Disability Awareness Month and from research we've conducted, we know that many students with disabilities participate in private school choice programs. Our senior research analyst, John Kristof, calculated (on the low end) how many students with disabilities use a choice program, it's more than you might think. https://lnkd.in/gsTdN6Kf

Opponents of school choice like to paint it as a fringe issue, but did you know, there are more than 80 school choice programs currently on the books? Since we made this chart in January, Tennessee created a new program. Bills are being considered in Texas, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, South Carolina, New Hampshire and beyond. Which state will be next? #TXlege