Hundreds of students from more than three dozen schools came to urge state policymakers to protect and expand Pennsylvania's school choice options.
Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools rally at CapitolHundreds of students gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol on Monday to celebrate the kickoff of National School Choice Week. Filling the Capitol Rotunda marble staircase and railing around it, students from around the state who attend charter, cyber and private schools as well as are homeschooled rallied to urge state policymakers to recognize the value of having a choice when it comes to their education.
But it was clear from the lawmakers who spoke at the rally, the students and school choice supporters already have some senators and representatives in their corner. “We all know the world has changed in many ways and the way we deliver our education is changing,” said Sen. John DiSanto, R-Dauphin County. “We need to provide educational choice for every student in Pennsylvania because we’re not just competing within Pennsylvania, we’re competing nationally” and internationally. Education isn’t a one-size-fits-all, said Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair County. She said educational options are needed to better serve the diversity of students’ educational needs. As the sponsor of legislation to create a state-funded “lifeline scholarship” program targeted to provide money to students in poor performing traditional public schools, Ward said, “these funds will be a vital tool for those students in their pursuit of a better education.” Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford County, who was homeschooled, said it is time to set aside the “silos that have been placed in education” and “start focusing on what is best for students.” Parents, grandparents and guardians know best how to foster the unique set of skills and gifts a child has, Topper said. “It’s time to ensure that they are active in deciding how their children and their students are educated. I am proud and will always be proud to stand with you in that fight.” Sen. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster County, called school choice critical to helping Pennsylvania grow and be a magnet for families. But having children on a waiting list or depending on a lottery system to gain entrance to a charter school is “not a recipe for a positive future not only for that child but fur the future of Pennsylvania.” Lawmakers as well as Anne Clark, CEO of Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools, said they are heartened by theat least conceptually, to giving direct-to-student tax-funded scholarships like the lifeline scholarships that Ward is pursuing. “I find that he is a man of integrity and heart and I’m a leader of integrity and heart,” Clark said. “I believe that if we just do what’s right by children of Pennsylvania, we can work out the rest of it.” While former Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration was viewed as working against school choice, Clark said all she asks of the new governor is to include charter school advocates in the conversation when it comes to how best to educate Pennsylvania’s children.. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hundreds gather in downtown Los Angeles for OneLife LAThe event was billed as a celebration of the beauty and dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.
Read more »
Hundreds of ballet dancers competing for scholarships in River Forest“[Ballet] teaches you discipline, it teaches you motivation, all of these things at such a young age. Whether you go on to be a dancer or a lawyer – you're ready to do either,” choreographer and judge Maria Konrad said.
Read more »
As the General Assembly stalled out, the House speaker announced a ‘listening tour’ of PennsylvaniaDaily News | As the General Assembly stalled out, the House speaker announced a ‘listening tour’ of Pennsylvania
Read more »
Vornado to join casino battle royale with gambling den at Hotel Pennsylvania: sourceVornado Realty Trust is poised to join the city’s Great Casino Sweepstakes by rolling the dice on a gambling den near Madison Square Garden, The Post has learned. The city’s second-largest co…
Read more »