Georgia Voters Express Support for More Educational Choice in the Peach State

Poll conducted last month shows strong approval for wide range of educational choices for families in need

ATLANTA, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly three in four Georgia voters would support the creation of a statewide school voucher program to help children from low-income families attend the school of their parent's choice, according to the results of a poll conducted last month by the American Federation for Children and the Center for an Educated Georgia (CEG).

In total, 72.3 percent of respondents said they would support a proposed Georgia Opportunity Scholarship Program. A majority of survey respondents also support school voucher programs generally, and more than 65 percent said that they'd consider utilizing such a choice if it were available to them. Georgians also ranked education the top social issue in terms of their vote in next fall's elections.

The Federation—the nation's voice for educational choice—partnered with CEG, the leading educational choice organization in the Peach State, in order to gauge support for additional educational options following voters' approval in November of a key charter school authorizing board. The release of the results of the poll, which was conducted by McLaughlin and Associates, coincides with National School Choice Week, a nationwide celebration of educational options in which more than 3,600 events are taking place all across the country.

"Georgia voters have affirmed that they're strong supporters of educational choice," said Kevin P. Chavous, executive counsel to the American Federation for Children. "Elected officials across the state would be wise to take notice of the fact that citizens want all options to be on the table, and they're willing to make their voices heard in order to get them."

More than 2,000 students, parents, and teachers are scheduled to appear at a rally on the Georgia State Capitol later today, the second annual Georgia rally occurring during National School Choice Week to call on the need for more educational options.

Georgia is already home to two private school choice programs serving nearly 15,000 students. There are also 111 charter schools currently operating in the state.

The McLaughlin and Associates survey interviewed 800 likely general election voters across Georgia. The poll's margin of error is +/- 3.4 percent.

SOURCE American Federation for Children