When kids come first, choice follows

I have recently learned about a program in Oregon, The Children's Scholarship Fund. This was started to help children from various economic classes to gain access to great education:

The Children’s Scholarship Fund-Portland provides privately funded elementary school scholarships applicable to any private or home school of the parents’ choice. CSF-Portland annually assists students from families whose income is low to moderate, residing primarily in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties.

CSF-Portland’s mission is to maximize educational opportunity at all income levels by offering tuition assistance for financially needy families and by promoting a diverse and competitive education environment. CSF-Portland scholarships may be used at any legally operating private or home school, and parents may change their children’s schools as they wish.

CSF-Portland plays a unique and important role in the school choice movement in Oregon. CSF-Portland has a seven-year track record of success, proving that low-income parents desire to take charge of their children’s futures through educational opportunity, and, when given a choice, do so. While their financial means are limited, CSF-Portland parents see themselves as the primary educators of their children. They are knowledgeable and determined to make any sacrifice to raise their children to be educated, responsible, productive, and respectful citizens capable of giving to others now and in adulthood.

I think this is an amazing program that students across the US could benefit from. It is privately funded, so people can let go of the issue of spending public funds at religious private schools (even though Pell Grants for college allow...). Missouri students would truly benefit from this. Thinking of it, it reminds me of the two bills that were just announced in the house and senate. The Special Needs Scholarship Program is a similar program. In this program, private donors would give to a scholarship granting organization which would then grant scholarships to special needs students throughout Missouri to attend a public or private school of their choice. Many special needs children are not provided for accurately in their district and need other services. The donors get a tax credit on their state tax liability too. I really hope this bill passes! I cannot understand those who are trying to fight this bill...do they really not want these children to get a good education? Do they really want to keep them in schools that failing them just to conform to the status quo? Hey, maybe someday we could also pass something similar for all the children of Missouri.