Regulators have real incentives not to expand school choice, or to erect new barriers.
It’s easy to find reasons not to take on the risks that come with giving families new options, especially when some people are willing to dig into their own pockets to fight them. The temptation to pile on new regulations is strong.
This week, though, people around the country pushed against these forces.
- The Nevada Senate passed an education savings accounts program, and the state assembly was poised to follow suit.
- New York families were allowed to proceed with a legal challenge seeking equal funding for charter schools. A Florida charter school board member threatened to do the same.
- New York clergy banded together to support tax credits that would expand school choice and support public schools.
- The Virginia Legislature is working on a constitutional amendment that would make way for more charter schools.
- The Alabama House sought to raise the cap on tax credit scholarships.
We hear a lot about the costs of expanding school choice. But there’s also a cost to restricting it. Just ask this mom.
Meanwhile…
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio denied charter schools’ budget request to help fund special needs education.
Can charter schools grow in the suburbs?
Much has changed in the world of private school choice since 2001.
Quote of the Week
“This is not an attempt to dismantle traditional public schools … Traditional-model schools are performing great for a lot of kids. But some parents want and some students would do better in a different environment.”-Incoming interim Fulton County, Ga. schools superintendent Ken Zeff, on an expansion of public school choice options.
How are we performing? Let me know at tpillow[at]sufs[dot]org or holler at Patrick Gibbons, who helps compile these weekly rundowns of school choice news and analysis.
ICYMI, this week on redefinED:
Georgia state Rep: Why don’t more civil rights groups support school choice?
Researchers set sights on virtual education in Florida
Can Florida school districts require charter schools to offer bus service?
More lessons emerging in the wake of Acclaim Academy charter schools’ collapse
