Bill empowers parents to decide what educational option works best for their child

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma chapter of PublicSchoolOptions.org praised members of the House Common Education Committee for passing House Bill 2949, the Oklahoma Education Savings Accounts Act (ESA), by a 9-8 vote on Monday afternoon. Colleen Cook, chair of the Oklahoma chapter and national board member of PublicSchoolOptions.org attended the committee meeting.The bill now moves to the House floor and a vote is expected next week.House Bill 2949 empowers parents with more flexibility to make decisions about their child’s education, including what school environment works best for their child. The bill allows parents to use part of their child’s public educational funding towards the education of their choosing, from private schools to public schools, to online courses to tutors. This bill expands school choice for Oklahoma families, including those in rural areas where current options in choice may not be meeting student needs.PublicSchoolOptions.org urges parents across Oklahoma to contact their legislators and share their personal stories of school choice and how it has benefited families and students. Last week, PublicSchoolOptions.org held an event at the capitol with over 500 students, parents and teachers that benefit from school choice.PublicSchoolOptions.org believes that every child, regardless of their zip code or how much money their parents make, deserves the best start in life. We firmly believe that begins with a parent’s ability to choose the school where their child will thrive — whether that’s in a traditional brick and mortar school, public virtual school, charter school, home school, or private school. Every child learns differently, even within the same family. Giving parents options so their child can succeed is critical. STATEMENT FROM COLLEEN COOK, PUBLICSCHOOLOPTIONS.ORG NATIONAL BOARD MEMBER AND OKLAHOMA PARENT LEADER:“Lawmakers took another step forward yesterday in expanding school choice options for Oklahoma’s families and students. We are thankful for those who voted to trust parents and give every child the best chance for success, and we are especially grateful to Representative Jason Nelson for his leadership. We urge the legislature to continue this important work and not let off the gas until ESA’s are a reality for every Oklahoma family.”PublicSchoolOptions.org is a national alliance of parents that supports and defends parents’rights to access the best public school options for their children. The Coalition supports the creation of public school options, including charter schools, online schools, magnet schools, open enrollment policies and other innovative education programs. Additionally, we advocate for equal access without restrictions to these public schools for all children.

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