|
Dear Friend,
As Congressional School Choice Caucus Co-chair, I introduced a resolution officially declaring this week to be National School Choice Week. Being the product of a poor, single-parent household, I have always been a champion of school choice. I have said time and time again that education is the closest thing to magic we have in America, and our children must have the opportunity to learn in the educational environment that best fits their needs.
You can sign up for my weekly update and other issue-specific newsletters here. Also, please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of South Carolina!
Should low-income families affected by COVID-19
receive federal funding to keep their children in the schools of their
choice? |
 |
|
|
|
| Click to open in a separate window |
Rising Support for School Choice
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of school choice. A new survey from the American Federation for Children shows that 72% of K-12 parents who work full-time support school choice. The report also shows that support for public charter schools and school vouchers is rising, with 77% of voters supporting public charter schools and 74% backing “school vouchers that allow low- and middle-class families to send their child to any school they deem best.”
I hope leaders are paying attention to these trends. I find that the education debate does not reflect the conversations happening in homes in South Carolina and across the country. The pandemic has changed almost every aspect of our lives, including education. We need to empower parents and students to choose what is right for their future and break every barrier to their success.
Reintroducing the CHOICE Act
In honor of National School Choice Week, I reintroduced the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Individuals and Communities through Education Act (CHOICE Act). The CHOICE Act will expand opportunities and foster success by providing parents with greater options when it comes to their children’s education. A child should not be kept from a quality education because of their zip code. That is simply unacceptable. My CHOICE Act will empower families to choose the best schools for their children and put parents in charge. This legislation specifically calls for more resources for special education and military families. I’m proud to work with Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) on this important bill.
School Choice Caucus
I am proud to lead the School Choice Caucus! We are dedicated to expanding educational freedom and promoting policies that increase high-quality education opportunities for all children. The caucus aims to educate families about school choice by highlighting high-quality educational models, innovators, and advocates.
To celebrate National School Choice Week, I penned an op-ed about the importance of school choice. I wrote in part, “It is my responsibility as a senator to not only empower our young people to believe in the possibility of their limitless potential, but also equip them with the tools to chase their dreams and make them a reality. We know there’s no silver bullet but school choice is a big step in the right direction. Accepting the status quo is not an option for those who want a future where a child’s destiny is not dictated by which neighborhood they’re from. With overwhelming bipartisan support across nearly every demographic, advancing school choice policies should be a priority for this Congress and new administration.”
Please be sure to check out my full op-ed on school choice on foxnews.com.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
.png "signature_(new).png")
|