Gov. Brian Kemp has taken on school choice as one of his priorities this year – even calling on members of the General Assembly during his State of the State address to pass a private school voucher bill this year. He went so far as to say “I believe we have run out of ‘next years’” referring to the fact that the issue has failed to make it through the General Assembly for several years.
As Georgia celebrates School Choice Week this week, as proclaimed by Gov. Kemp, a new poll of likely general election voters in Georgia shows a 68 percent favorability margin for the concept of “school choice,” with 76 percent of parents in favor.
The support levels for education savings accounts sit at 60 percent, according to the poll, while support for refundable education tax credits at 55 percent and support for traditional public schools at 65 percent. The poll went on to say, “When voters were presented with additional information, the tested school choice program maintains high support and favorability.”
The poll was performed by Cygnal, one of the nation’s top private polling firms, among 900 Republican primary voters in 14 Georgia House Districts. The poll went on to say that “the tested school choice initiative, already popular, gains additional support by emphasizing the removal of politics and unions from the education process. Notably, 66 percent of GOP voters are less likely to support legislators who oppose school choice, presenting a compelling incentive for lawmakers – especially in Republican districts – to empower parents and families and embrace school choice.”
Kemp’s proclamation highlights the importance of high-performing schools and the improvement of education outcomes to ensure the growth and development of Georgia. It also recognizes the commitment of parents and educators to provide the knowledge that students need to face future challenges. For the week, parents, schools, and other organizers have planned 768 activities across the state.
The Georgia Center for Opportunity states that Georgia School Choice Week celebrates the fact “that every kid is unique, and more education options mean parents, educators, and communities can improve education and life outcomes for all students.”
“Georgia School Choice Week” is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week, and “comes on the heels of a year of historic school choice expansions nationwide,” according to a press statement from National School Choice Week.
