Sign your name to support School Choice!
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Sign the petition to bring education choice to Missouri! We believe a quality education should be available for all students regardless of family income, not just for those living in the right zip codes. Giving Missouri parents school choice options empowers them to make the best decisions for their children. Right now, bills being considered by members of Missouri’s General Assembly seek to do just that.
The first would allow charter schools to expand outside of St. Louis and Kansas City. Charter schools, which are tuition-free public schools, allow for more flexibility and innovation in the classroom in return for greater accountability. This common-sense policy has become a significant part of the education landscape as charter schools provide a quality education option for 1 in 20 students nationwide.
The second would create an open enrollment system in Missouri for parents to be able to send their children to neighboring school districts. Many of states around us, including Iowa, has open enrollment and it has been an effective way of getting students the right education that fits their needs.
In 2021, school choice efforts in Missouri had an enormous win with the passage of the Educational Savings Accounts (ESA) bill which allows for families to apply for up to $6,375 in funding through the MO Scholars program. Families can qualify for an ESA if:
1. They live in one of the following places: Kansas City, St. Louis City, Springfield, Columbia, Independence, Lee’s Summit, St. Joseph, Joplin, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau and/or the Counties of Clay, Jackson, Jefferson, St. Charles or St. Louis.
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2. Their child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) OR they have a household that qualifies for up to 200% of the free and reduced lunch program (for a family of four, that would be $102,676).
Then in 2022 there was another win for school choice with the passage of HB 1552, which provides equitable funding for the more than 25,000 students at Missouri charter schools. It also fixed issues with the virtual education statute and provides more access to parents wanting to utilize this program. We need to continue this momentum going into the 2023 legislative session!
We Believe:
- Every child deserves a world class education, regardless of where they live.
- A quality education should be available for all children regardless of family income, not just those living in the right zip codes.
- Education Savings Account (ESA) Scholarships provide funding to families to determine their children’s education path.
- ESA’s could help meet the unique education of children with disabilities, children in foster care and children of military families.
Get the Facts On School Choice:
- Charter schools are tuition free, independently governed public schools.
- Improving Missouri’s education options will create a more skilled workforce.
- Approximately 38% of Missouri college students need remedial courses.
- In 2016, nearly 10,000 Missouri students dropped out of high school.
- School Choice protects funding for public schools.
- Freedom to educate – school choice gives hope to Missouri families.