School Reform Actions You Can Take

TAKING ACTION FOR BETTER SCHOOLS

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Overview

Sound Information and Advice for Would-Be Reformers

The School Reform Handbook

Jeanne Allen with Angela Dale (Washington, D.C.: The Center for Education Reform, 1995).

If you are a parent or citizen seeking to improve your own school or district, there is no more useful or practical guide than Jeanne Allen's The School Reform Handbook. The Handbook explains most of the major school reform proposals currently being discussed, and then goes on to offer step-by-step instructions for "Building Coalitions for Reform," "Getting the Word Out," Growing Your Organization," and "Approaching Officials About Education Reform." It also includes suggested reading and resource lists, and some national education statistics.

Your Votes Count, and So Do Those of Your Elected Representatives

Education is currently a highly political affair, and the only way to restore parental choice and responsibility is to change the laws that govern public schools. A new website, Citizens for Responsible Education Reform, will help you do just that, by monitoring the education bills before congress, and helping you to identify representatives who support increased competition between schools and greater parental freedom. The site is maintained by Karen E. Loss, research associate at the Education Policy Institute.

Real Choice Now:
Private Scholarship/Voucher Programs

There are roughly two dozen privately financed and operated voucher programs currently in existence in the United States. Unlike their government-run counterparts, they place few if any restrictions on the school choices available to low-income parents. For more information, see the Vouchers page in the Research section. Contributing to these programs is the most effective way currently available to improve the educational prospects of children from poor families.

Children's Scholarship Fund

     The CSF, founded by venture capitalist Theodore Forstmann and Walmart head John Walton, is shaping up to be one of the largest networks of private scholarship programs in the country. With locally affiliated programs from New York, to Los Angeles, to New Orleans, and an endowment approaching $100 million, CSF plans to offer scholarships to tens of thousands of children in September of 1999.
     For information on receiving a scholarship, or making a contribution to this worthwhile cause, visit the CSF website or call 1-800-444-9662.

Overview of Privately-Run School Voucher Programs

     "J. Patrick Rooney, Chairman of the Golden Rule Insurance Company of Indianapolis, first popularized the idea of privately funded educational choice in the summer of 1991 with the formation of the Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust. The CHOICE Charitable Trust was founded to provide low-income children with the same educational opportunities that Indianapolis' wealthier families already enjoyed."--From the Center for Education Reform article by Michael Barrett.

CEO America: The Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation

" Ceo America's long-term objective is to assure that every child receives a good education in a safe environment. It is achieving that objective by assisting cities to start private voucher programs. As more and more come on line, they will show the value and merits of school choice, while building a coalition of business leaders and low-income parents who will fight for the use of public monies to expand choice to parents of every boy and girl." --From the CEO America site.

Partners Advancing Values in Education

"PAVE is a private, not for profit, school choice program operating in Milwaukee, WI, USA, whose mission is to offer low-income families equal access to all educational opportunities. PAVE is the largest privately-funded school choice program in the United States, and serves as a model for 29 similar programs nationwide. "--From the PAVE website.

Baltimore Children's Educational Opportunities Foundation

"While many parents desire a different and better [educational] environment, smaller class size, safe atmosphere, advanced curriculum, they are currently unable to send their child to a private or parochial school because of financial restraint or limitations. We believe all children should be given equal access to education and that the value of a quality education is immeasurable to their future and to society as a whole. We plan to assist families by offering financial aid through private tuition vouchers which will be applied to tuition costs." --From the Baltimore CEO site.

Get Connected:
Regional Education Reform Organizations

The CER's List of Organizations

A long list of organizations provided by the Center for Education Reform, many of which are working for parental choice and voucher programs.

The Parent's Page for Greater Clark, Indiana, U.S.A.

Maintained by Tim Zukas.

Current Issues in Public Education, British Columbia, Canada

Maintained by Katherine Wagner, school trustee in public school district #42, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows.

Director's Forum: Oak Harbor, WA

The Director's Forum is intended to provide an alternative avenue for publishing information about the Oak Harbor School District (OHSD).

Opportunities for Educators in the Private Sector

Association of Educators in Private Practice

The AEPP offers teachers, principals, and other private sector educators the chance to exchange ideas and promote common goals. Members receive a variety of services including a newsletter, directory of fellow members, opportunities for networking, and access to liability insurance at affordable group rates.

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