Ballot: Michiganders overwhelmingly endorse parental selection in training
LANSING, me. – Senator Lana Theis said Friday a new poll that said over 75% of Michigans support parents’ right to choose their children’s school is evidence that Governor Gretchen Whitmer is signing the Let Kids Learn plan should.
“It’s time for a change in K-12 education in Michigan,” said Theis, R-Brighton, chairman of the Senate Education and Career Preparedness Committee. “Parents want and deserve more say in their children’s education, and this new survey data shows Michigan residents believe they do too.
“Reg. Whitmer should listen to the people, embrace this unique moment in our state, and sign the Let Kids Learn plan. It will enable parents to offer their children – especially those with special needs or from underserved communities – better opportunities to learn and succeed, regardless of which school they choose to attend. “
The survey, conducted by the Lansing-based Marketing Research Group, asked 600 Michigan residents whether they “support or disapprove of the concept of school choice, which gives parents the right to use taxpayer dollars earmarked for their child’s education send their child out to the public or private school that best suits their educational needs. ”Over 60% of respondents said they strongly support the concept and another 15% said they support the idea to some extent.
The law would provide parenting scholarships for students that could be used for school-related expenses – both inside and outside the classroom – to improve student performance.
Scholarship funds could be used for tuition and fees in public, private, or online K-12 schools, professional and technical education programs, tutoring services, professional and behavioral services, textbooks and study materials, laptops and tablets, uniforms, athletics, and more.
If passed, Michigan would join several other states with great success offering similar educational savings accounts and tax credit grants.
Senate Acts 687 and 688 have been approved by the legislature and are being presented to the governor for signature.
###
