AFC Calls on Minnesota Governor Dayton to Sign Opportunity Scholarship Program

Program Would Benefit Thousands of Children from Low-Income Families

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A bipartisan group of education reform leaders from across the country today called on Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to support a new opportunity scholarship program for children from low-income families.

According to the American Federation for Children (www.FederationForChildren.org), the program, which would assist children who attend persistently low-performing public schools, could lead to higher student achievement, graduation rates, and greater parental satisfaction.

The program is a part of the state's education budget, which passed both legislative chambers last week. Targeted specifically to help children in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Duluth, the program contains important accountability and nondiscrimination provisions designed to protect students and taxpayers. If enacted, thousands of children could benefit.

"Governor Dayton should do the right thing and side with parents who only want a better education for their children," said Kevin P. Chavous, a former D.C. City Councilman and an AFC board member. "As Democrats, we must not let partisan differences deter us from fighting for social justice, and educational equality is the single most important civil rights issue facing the next generation."

Across the country, 20 private school choice programs benefit 200,000 children in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that programs similar to the one proposed in Minnesota have yielded higher student graduation rates, increased achievement in core subjects, and financial savings to taxpayers. For example, a study of the nation's longest-running school voucher program, the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, demonstrated that voucher recipients posted graduation rates that were 18 percentage points higher than students in traditional public schools. In Washington, D.C., students who were offered--and who used--Opportunity Scholarships graduated at a 91 percent rate, more than 30 percentage points higher than the graduation rate for D.C. Public Schools.

Seven Democratic Governors have signed private school choice laws: Napolitano (AZ), Vilsack (IA), Culver (IA), Rendell (PA), Doyle (WI) and Henry (OK). An increasing number of Democratic lawmakers are also supporting private school choice efforts, including Governor Dayton's former colleagues in the United States Senate – Democrats Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Dianne Feinstein of California – who backed the recent reauthorization of the highly successful Washington D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. Just this year, private school choice legislation in Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin has been introduced with bipartisan support.

SOURCE American Federation for Children

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED