Harrisburg, PA (June 8, 2011) -- The Grassroots Coalition for Real School Choice, an association of over 20 Pennsylvania groups representing thousands of voters, has announced, today, its support for school choice legislation currently being proposed by State Representative Curt Schroder (PA-155)."We think its time to forget SB 1 and get behind voucher legislation that truly stands a chance of passage in both houses of the Pennsylvania Assembly," said Coalition leader, Sharon Cherubin, Executive Director of Unite PA.
"The concept of SB 1 was fatally flawed from the beginning and the sooner we realize it and move on, the better it will be for Pennsylvania school children."
Coalition leader, Teri Adams, President of the Independence Hall Tea Party Association, said that SB 1 did not adequately address the needs of middle income children--especially those trapped in failing schools.
"In SB 1, over 27,000 middle income children attending failing schools were denied vouchers in the first three years of the program--and then, were included in the bill only in the fourth year--only 'if' funds were available," she said.
"Other middle income children were also excluded from receiving vouchers until the fourth year. They, too, would only be eligible to participate in the program 'if' funding were available. Who can plan their child's education around an if?"
"Rep. Curt Schroder's bills do not discriminate against middle income children. The first bill, The Failing Schools Student Rescue Act, would offer $5,000 vouchers to all children attending failing schools, regardless of income." said Ms. Cherubin.
"The second, an 'Opportunity Scholarship' bill, would offer a $5,000 voucher across the board--to all children enrolled in kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools," she said.
"These bills, together with HB 1330, legislation expanding the EITC Scholarship program sponsored by State Representative Thomas Quigley (PA-146), will offer Pennsylvania children real school choice."
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