It’s time we gave Kentucky families a choice in education. Not because they can afford it, but because they deserve it. The Scholarship Tax Credit is the right solution at the right time. A recent poll of Kentucky voters found that more than 70 percent believe the state’s education system needs significant change, while 65 percent of voters support bringing educational choice programs to Kentucky. The time is now.
A Scholarship Tax Credit provides choice to those who have limited financial means, and few places to turn when their child needs a different learning environment to thrive. By providing more educational options to Kentucky families, the entire Commonwealth benefits. Children from lower-income families, those with developmental disabilities and those in foster homes would benefit most, easing the burden on families, not burdening public schools as some believe. In fact, 18 other states already have scholarship tax credit programs and have found dramatic increases in student success while increasing savings in their state budgets.
Charles Leis
A Scholarship Tax Credit will rely solely on private donations – no public money is taken from public schools or given to nonpublic schools. The scholarships benefit rural as well as urban families – the common factor is need. By providing this opportunity, doors are opened for kids to walk through and find success. And when children succeed, families and communities prosper.
The same 2018 voter poll mentioned above showed that support for Scholarship Tax Credits among all groups is at 62% with strong majorities of Independents, Democrats and Republicans all on board with this idea. Even 58% of public-school teacher households found Scholarship Tax Credits to be a worthy solution to providing more access for quality education for those struggling to succeed. And a poll released just this summer by the Prichard Committee, a group that traditionally has stayed focused on public schools, showed that 70% of Kentuckians would be more likely to support a candidate for governor who wants to expand the options of parents to choose the school they send their children to.
With all this information, the question to ask isn’t why is now the right time for school choice, the question is why are we delaying?
As many families plan for their children’s future, their own communities can help ease the burden without adding cost to the education system. Local businesses and individuals can contribute to the Scholarship Granting Organizations who in turn award need-based scholarships to those seeking an alternative educational opportunity for their child. The donor receives a non-refundable tax credit in return. Those donors are invested in the future of our Commonwealth, the children, and taxpayers will not have spent a single penny more for that educational choice. In fact, savings have occurred in other states with similar programs and we expect the same would be true for Kentucky.
Developing an educated workforce, giving families flexibility for their children’s education and freeing up access for those most in need are ideas Kentuckians can support, and polling shows they do. When we open doors for kids who otherwise are stuck on the other side, we free up their potential, support their dreams and help make our state stronger and more prepared for the future.
Families, better yet kids, deserve the choice to be in the best educational environment they can be to learn, explore and thrive. Giving them that choice is our choice – join us in making it happen.
Charles Leis is the President of EdChoice KY, a group dedicated to establishing a Scholarship Tax Credits program in Kentucky to extend educational opportunity to more students from low- and middle-income families. Learn more: www.edchoiceKY.com.
