Georgia concluded National School Choice Week, a 12th annual celebration of opportunity in education ranging from traditional public schools to homeschooling. Throughout the celebration, schools and homeschool groups partnered with community organizations to plan school fairs, information sessions and other awareness events. And it has been a success.
Steven Quinn, the State Outreach Director for GEORGIACAN, had an exclusive interview with InsiderAdvantage to provide a celebration post-mortem. “Every parent wants the best for their children,” he said, “This week provides families with a better understanding of what options are out there. Whether it’s through a school choice fair, a community conversation or social media, we hope the increased awareness during this week helps spark interest in school choice.”
Steven Quinn
“We are thrilled to highlight the quality options in our state, celebrate the success of Georgia’s choice programs allowing children to attend a school they otherwise wouldn’t have, and empower other parents to use school choice if that is the best fit for their children,” he continued.
One factor that the program tries to emphasize is the opportunity to expand access for schooling options for historically disadvantaged students. Quinn feels that “a child’s education should not be tied to their zip code. For many disadvantaged students, if a school is not working out or not the right fit, they have no options. School choice levels the playing field by providing an opportunity for children to find and attend a school that works for them, where they can succeed.”
Critics of school choice have contended that the program diverts funds from traditional schools, thereby generating unequal outcomes for students. On the other hand, advocates have claimed that school choice programs empower parents and improve traditional public schools through competition.
“School choice really gives the power to the parent to make the best educational choice allowing for a more tailored education,” says Quinn. “I think it drives all schools to really understand the needs of students and makes them more adaptable to their needs.”
In 2021, Georgia lawmakers passed an expansion of the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program and, with the Georgia Qualified Education Expense Tax, Georgians have saved hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes.
This year Rep. Wes Cantrell, R-Woodstock, introduced HB 999, which creates Promise Scholarships to help pay for matters such as private school tuition, tutoring, homeschool curriculum, virtual classes, and other approved educational expenses. Sponsors and supporters of this bill feel that this would further allow parents to customize their child’s education.
While education is a controversial topic, it is important to highlight and celebrate the positive aspects that Georgia’s educational system provides. With this special week being a tradition continuing for over a decade, Georgians have proven that taking time to recognize their children’s success is something worth celebrating.
Charles Clay Jr. is a staff writer for InsiderAdvantage.
